What Is Deionized Water? Five Things To Know About Water Without A Charge

Are you wondering, “What is deionized water and its importance?” Look no further. Without getting too scientific, we’ll explain the main things you need to know about this water without a charge and spell out the main ways it’s used today. 

Deionized water is a type of water without ions. The ions are removed using scientific methods, and the process of making deionized water can take place using conventional water and causes hydrogen and oxygen to form a covalent bond. While this removes ions from the resulting liquid, it may not remove all other impurities such as viruses or bacteria from the water supply. 

The resulting water has no charge, and nearly all the mineral ions are removed from the water.

There are also no harmful toxins or other chemicals in the water. It’s completely blank and free of bacteria, which means it takes on the chemistry of any product added to it later. The whole idea behind deionized water’s creation was to make pure water, and today’s large manufacturing firms, companies, and labs use the water type in a wide array of products and experiments. 

What is deionized water? This type of water is commonly used in microelectronics and the medical field. It’s also a solvent in production for many types of products on the market today. Many people use deionized water at home as well. However, many industries in the medial and pharmaceutical industries rely on deionized water to keep products (and humans) safe. 

Medical product manufacturers, for example, often mix water in with the products they create. Even if a scientist wants to make saline or another water solution to inject into a patient's body, the water must meet standards for injection, and the process starts with deionized water. Otherwise, you could cause adverse health effects. Regular tap water can contain metal and other impurities as well, such as bacteria, viruses, lead, or copper. 

Some people decide to install water filters in their homes for deionized water, which can become quite costly. However, the benefits of pure water well outweigh the price for the many people who want their own water system at home and making deionized water at home used to be more complicated and costly than today. 

Modern resins and cartridges make it easier than ever for both businesses and homeowners to install deionized water systems and make their own highly pure water on site. The systems are easy to maintain and only require monthly cleaning. According to the Distilled Water Company,

Filters to create deionized water are also found to make safe drinking water in offices, hospitals, and schools. 

Various types of water deionizer systems also exist, and the kind you use depends on your purpose.

You’ll either have a two-bed or mixed-bed system, which use cation and anion resin beds to complete the process or use the two resins in a single vessel. The main difference is that two-bed deionizers offer a larger capacity while mixed-bed options produce a higher water quality. Either portable exchange tank units or cartridges are used until the resin is gone and then replaced while automatic and permanent fixtures regenerate. Continuous deionizers are mostly used in labs and never require regeneration. 

Deionized and distilled water are often terms used interchangeably because they involve a similar process to create the water. However, the two types of water could not be more different. Unlike deionization, distilling water is one of the oldest and most popularly used ways to create purified water. It’s still used today to make pure drinking water that’s safe for the public, and the resulting water offers an uncontaminated and pure option in areas without drinking water. 

Deionized water is purer, however, and it’s created through an intensive water cleaning and purification process known as a reverse osmosis membrane. The water is them deionized, which leaves a much purer form of water than distilled goes through. Distillation is much simpler and more convenient, making it a cheaper option. 

When it comes to household use, either way of purifying your water is fine. The difference in terms of drinking water is next to nothing. Deionized and distilled water is used interchangeably for most reasons, but deionizing does remove more minerals and ions without affecting organic substances. Distilled water may be purer, but it doesn’t remove organic compounds from the water. 

Distillation countertop machines are widely available on the market that is affordable and easy to make, allowing more people than ever to create their own pure drinking water. The process of distillation is more natural and safer for these machines, making them popular among household use. Making your own drinking water cuts back on the price of buying wasteful water bottles and it’s cheaper than deionizing, which is a more expensive purification process. 

When it comes to use in a laboratory or pharmaceutical industry, the difference in the types of water is much more vital. Because these industries require ultrapure water, the purest form they used to use was created through a double distillation process. Today, deionized water can produce a higher level of purity than previously obtained by scientists. 

The water treatment process makes deionized and distilled water pure. However, pure doesn't always mean better, and the process they go through is different. Deionized and distilled water both come with pros and cons, the main one being that to processes vary in efficiency and cost. Previous treatment and filtering the water before either process takes place is essential.

While deionized water only removes the ions and non-organic particles from water, it needs to be filtered once more to get rid of these contaminants. It’s a chemical process. Filtering methods can then remove these organic materials with ease but may require you to purchase further filters. 

Distilled water, on the other hand, removes impurities other than only ions. It gets rid of most mineral, chemicals, and bacteria. However, this water treatment process doesn't remove everything. The impurities can evaporate and remain in the water due to the process, which involves heating the pre-filtered water until it turns to steam in a sterile container. 

Deionization is said to produce water that’s just as pure by many sources, but both processes remove the following contaminants from your water:

Choosing a water treatment process to use comes down to your needs. How you use the water, and your reasons for requiring pure water are the most important factors to consider. Deionized water is, however, easier and faster to create. This means it costs less money to make and you can produce more deionized water in less time. 

Distilled water is pure, especially when it’s pre-filtered. It’s used in laboratory applications after being double or triple distilled because it doesn’t contain any pathogens or bacteria. On the other hand, deionized water is excellent for a wide range of uses. Deionized water is also used in labs and pharmaceutical companies, but it's also a cooling application for automobiles, great for freshwater and marine fish tanks, and a great alternative for home use. 

Deionized water is cleaner and a newer technique, which makes it a leader in terms of innovation. Over a long period, deionized water may produce better results and last longer. The process may become a go-to technique in the coming years, as there are no chemicals or cleansers used. It also won't cause salt to build up on your machinery over time. 

If the price is the most crucial factor for you in high purity water, deionization takes less time and costs less. However, your decision may be determined based on how much water you need. While the distillation process requires lots of time to boil, cool, and collect the water, the amount of time it takes depends on how much water you process. 

Now that you know everything you need to know on what is deionized water, you’re prepared to make the best choice for you water needs. Pure water is only a step away!