TDS Controller
TDS Controller Function in Water Purification
The TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) Controller is a component in water purification systems, especially in reverse osmosis (RO) setups, that allows adjustment of the TDS level in the filtered water. It helps maintain a balance between removing impurities and retaining essential minerals.
Function of the TDS Controller
- Balances TDS Levels:
- A TDS controller mixes a small amount of raw (unfiltered) water with purified water from the RO membrane to adjust the overall TDS level. This helps retain some natural minerals while ensuring the water is still safe to drink.
- Retains Essential Minerals:
- By allowing controlled amounts of raw water to bypass the RO membrane, it ensures the presence of beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are often removed in the RO process.
- Improves Taste:
- The retained minerals enhance the taste of the water, making it more palatable and less “flat,” a common complaint with demineralized RO water.
- Customizable Water Quality:
- Users can adjust the TDS controller to achieve their desired balance between purification and mineral retention, tailoring the water quality to their preferences or specific health needs.
- Optimizes pH Levels:
- By retaining some minerals, the TDS controller can help maintain a more neutral or slightly alkaline pH, avoiding the slight acidity often associated with RO-purified water.
Advantages of a TDS Controller
- Ensures water has the right mix of purification and mineral content.
- Reduces the need for additional mineralization filters in some systems.
- Allows customization of water quality to suit individual preferences.
How It Works
- Bypass Mechanism: The TDS controller includes a bypass valve or mechanism that blends a fraction of raw water with the RO-purified water.
- Manual Adjustment: The blending ratio can typically be adjusted manually, depending on the desired TDS level.
Maintenance
- Regular Cleaning: Ensure the controller and bypass valve are free from sediment or blockages.
- Monitor TDS Levels: Use a TDS meter regularly to check the output water quality and make adjustments as needed.
- System Compatibility: Ensure the raw water source is not heavily contaminated, as this might introduce impurities into the purified water.
Limitations
- Not ideal for areas with highly polluted water sources, as the bypassed raw water may reintroduce harmful contaminants.
- Requires proper calibration and monitoring to achieve optimal water quality.