Your questions about Deionised Water answered

The popularity of deionised water has increased over recent years as people begin to realise the effective yet safe uses DI water has. This article will cover some regularly asked questions such as:

Is deionised water the same as distilled water?

What is deionised water used for?

What can I use instead of deionised water?

Can u drink deionised water?

Can bacteria grow in deionised water?

Does deionised water rust?

Where can I buy deionised water?

If you are short of time, click on one of the above questions to get taken directly to the response😊

So, what is deionised water?

Deionised water can be created in different ways with the most popular being electro deionisation (involving electricity use) combined with Reverse Osmosis. Reverse Osmosis machine pushes water under pressure through a semi-permeable membrane creating a very pure form of water and removing around 99.9% of contaminants. The process removes most of the ions (both negative and positive) contained in the water. These could include ions such as Copper, Sodium, Iron and Calcium all of which come from the natural environment or from passing through water pipes.

And what is distilled water?

The way distilled water is created is really a mini replica of the hydrologic water cycle where the process of evaporation, condensing and rainfall is created in a far smaller scale not dissimilar to the diagram below:

This cycle is carried out in a Water Distilling Machine where the condensing of water purifies the water removing traces of metals and other impurities with the precipitation collected as distilled water. A distiller will boil the water which turns to vapour which is then condensed and leaves behind solid mineral and organic contaminants.

Sterilising medical equipment

It’s very important that medical equipment is free from germs or harmful matter before coming in contact with a patient. Sterilising equipment is often used to remove any impurities on equipment, and deionised water, being a very pure form of water, is used in the sterilisation machine.

Topping up battery water levels

Using deionised water for topping up battery water levels ensures that more impurities are removed from the water compared to distillation or other filtering means. More minerals are removed from deionised water than other purified forms which is important in batteries as any minerals in water will interfere with cell voltage. This in turn increases the likelihood of self-discharge, draining the battery faster. The very low level of minerals and impurities in deionised water also ensures that corrosion of battery cells is kept to a minimum.

Boilers

Deionised water is popular for use in boilers due to it not containing substances which will lead to the build-up of deposits such as limescale. The purified water will minimise corrosion within the boiler including the heat exchanger which will result in a longer lifetime for the boiler.

Fire Extinguishers

It is important for deionised water to be used in fire extinguishers because the absence of ions means the water will not conduct electricity and makes it safer to use around electrical equipment, electronic devices, and appliances. The extinguishers life will arguably be prolonged too as deionised water will prevent scale build up within.

Aquariums

Often deionised water will be used in an aquarium or fish tank. The reason for this is that using standard water will contain minerals which will result in scaling on the tank and objects within the water. Also, using tap water will increase the chances of algae forming in the water which effects water quality and can result in poor health or death of the fish. It will still be necessary to adjust the pH of the water which can be achieved using calcium-based rocks which will increase the water pH.

Engine Cooling Systems

One key reason that engine cooling systems perform better when deionised water is used is due to the low conductivity of the DI water. Low conductivity means that it is more effective keeping engines from overheating and ensures a certain temperature level is maintained. The pure form of water also ensures that minimum corrosion happens within the coolant system.

Chemistry, Laboratory and Manufacturing

It is critical that a pure form of water is used in many manufacturing processes such as pharmaceutical applications. For example, it is paramount that there are no impurities in any water getting used in the manufacturing process of wipes, as this could impair the efficacy levels and effectiveness of the end finished wipe product against bacteria and viruses. Pure water also ensures that the finished product remains stable ensuring a longer shelf life.

Window Cleaning

Deionised water is great for window cleaning because the near absence of minerals reduces the likelihood of water spots on the glazing once the water dries. Contrary to this is distilled water which contains a host of minerals and will cause water spots on your windows.

Bodyshop Repairs Cleaning

Used often when cleaning a vehicles bodywork before applying paint, polish or wax. This is because deionised water attracts contaminants and the removal of ions ensures no water spotting which can affect any topcoats, mentioned above, keying to the bodywork.

Steam Irons

The use of deionised water in steam irons is recommended because due to its pure form prevents furring and scale formation which can cause damage and blockages to the iron over time. This is particularly applicable in areas that have hard tap water as scaling is more likely.