How to Choose Between Distilled or Deionised Water?
Before you make any choice between Distilled or Deionised Water for your lab experiment, it is important to understand the difference between them.
Distilled and deionised water are two different kinds of water used in various industrial processes according to the need. These two types of water are purified and have deep ion content within. However, minerals like sodium and potassium are not present in the form of salt in these types of water.
Both distilled water and deionized water have similar characteristics and different properties that make them effective for special use.
Let's look into the following detail to know more about these types of water.
How to Choose Between Distilled or Deionised Water?
Distilled or Deionised Water has clear differences. For instance, distilled water is water that has been boiled into vapor and condensed back into liquid in a separate container, removing impurities and minerals. While deionized water is water that has had its ions removed, typically through the use of ion exchange resins.
Deionsed water is used in many industrial processes where only pure water is required for optimal and smooth functioning. For instance, in the pharmaceutical industry, water is used for various purposes, including as an ingredient in the formulation of medicines, as a solvent for chemical reactions, and for cleaning equipment and facilities.
While on the other hand, distilled water has been stripped to remove impurities. The process is carried out at a high temperature, and when it starts boiling, the steam is collected back into the condensed water liquid. Now the impurities cannot evaporate due to the high boiling point. Hence after condensed back vapors, impurities and ions do not form together. However, in both cases of water, they have the same boiling point (Distilled Water Boiling Point is 100°C)
Distilled or Deionised Water - An Overview of Their Properties
Distilled and deionized water both have distinct properties due to the processes they undergo to remove impurities.
Distilled Water Properties
- Distilled water is a very pure form of water. It is created by heating regular water to its boiling point, then collecting and condensing the steam into a clean container. This process, known as distillation, removes impurities and contaminants like bacteria, viruses, parasites, metals, minerals, and chemicals.
- The ideal distilled water should have a neutral pH of 7. However, when exposed to air, it absorbs carbon dioxide and can become slightly acidic, often falling to a pH of around 5.8.
- Unlike tap water, distilled water contains no minerals like calcium and magnesium. This characteristic gives it a "flat" taste, lacking the flavors imparted by these minerals.
- Due to the lack of dissolved salts and minerals, distilled water has a very low electrical conductivity.
Deionised Water Properties
- Deionised water is created by running tap water or a cleaner source through an electrically charged resin. This process, known as deionization, removes ionized salts. It is less effective than distillation at removing non-ionized contaminants, such as viruses or bacteria. Hence, the purity levels of deionized water can vary.
- It is neutral to slightly acidic pH. Just like distilled water, deionized water normally has a neutral pH when it is first produced. However, it can also become slightly acidic when exposed to air for the same reasons.
- Deionization also removes beneficial minerals from the water, giving it a similar "flat" taste to distilled water.
- The deionization process removes ionized salts, making the water an insulator with very low electrical conductivity.
Similarities Between Distilled and Deionised Water
Distilled and deionized water both share similarities. For example, they undergo processes in which impurities are removed as per the experiment's requirements, making them distinct from typical tap water. Here are some of the main similarities between distilled or deionised water.
Purity
Both distilled and deionized water are considered to be pure forms of water. They undergo processes that remove contaminants and impurities, including salts, minerals, and other dissolved substances typically found in tap water.
Uses
Both are used in applications where high-purity water is required.
- They are used in laboratory settings, where they are used in experiments and processes to ensure results are not affected by impurities.
- They are also used in the production of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and electronics, among other industries.
- This type of water can be used to clean Laboratory Furniture. Because it is free from impurities and minerals, and often used in settings that require high cleanliness standards, such as laboratories.
Boiling Point
The deionized water and distilled Water Boiling Point is the same - 100°C.
Difference Between Deionized Water and Distilled Water
Both distilled and deionized water has distinctive differences. Some of them are mentioned here.
Production Methods
Distilled water is produced through a process called distillation. In this method, water is heated to its boiling point. While deionized water, also known as demineralized water, is produced by removing ions, specifically charged minerals and salts, from water.
Diverse Applications Due to Different Properties
Distilled water is commonly used in laboratory experiments, medical procedures, and industrial applications where water purity is necessary. In contrast, deionised water is commonly used in industries where the presence of minerals or charged substances could interfere with processes, such as in manufacturing semiconductors, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
West Lab Australia is the leading laboratory with a number of successful scientific works. Both Distilled or Deionised Water due to their purity are used in different lab work where accurate results with zero contamination are needed to be produced.