对反渗透理论的介绍非常简短；反渗透膜的一般性能特征；按类型对反渗透膜进行分类；以及按类别划分的特定商用反渗透膜的性能特征。本演示的重点是商用反渗透膜。反渗透膜化学最终是膜性能特征中最重要的因素，因此将作为检查各种选择的基础。它们是:CA/CTA（二醋酸纤维素、三醋酸纤维素和CA/CTA共混物）；芳香族聚酰胺；聚脲；聚哌嗪酰胺；聚乙烯醇；和磺化醇。其中每一个都用许多图表进行了详细讨论。

This presentation is a very brief review of reverse osmosis (RO) theory; general performance characteristics of RO membranes; categorization of RO membranes by type; and performance characteristics of specific commercial RO membranes by category. Emphasis throughout this presentation is on commercially available types of RO membranes. RO membrane chemistry is ultimately the most overriding factor in membrane performance characteristics, and so will be used as the basis of examining the various choices. These are: CA/CTA (cellulose diacetate, celluose triacetate, and CA/CTA blends); aromatic polyamides; polyureas; polypiperazineamides; polyvinyl alcohols; and sulfonated alcohols. Each of these is discussed in some detail with many charts and graphs.