Deionized Water Systems
Previously, high-purity water was used only in limited applications. Today, deionized (Dl) water has become an essential ingredient in hundreds of applications including: medical, laboratory, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, electronics manufacturing, food processing, plating and countless industrial processes (even the final rinse at the local car wash). The term "DI water" is interchangeable with Type I or Clinical Laboratory Reagent Water (CLRW).
A DI water product is one that has had its ionic contaminants removed via an exchange process of cation and anion resins. Because the majority of water impurities are dissolved salts, deionization produces high-purity water that’s generally similar to distilled water and does so quickly and without scale buildup. However, deionization does not significantly remove uncharged organic molecules, viruses, or bacteria, except through “accidental” trapping by the resin. Specially made strong base anion resins can remove Gram-negative bacteria, but the most effective method of water sterilization, or bacterial removal, is conducted when water is constantly recirculated past a UV disinfectant chamber and .2 micron final filter. Both of these elements are included in General Water's purification process.
A DI water product is one that has had its ionic contaminants removed via an exchange process of cation and anion resins. Because the majority of water impurities are dissolved salts, deionization produces high-purity water that’s generally similar to distilled water and does so quickly and without scale buildup. However, deionization does not significantly remove uncharged organic molecules, viruses, or bacteria, except through “accidental” trapping by the resin. Specially made strong base anion resins can remove Gram-negative bacteria, but the most effective method of water sterilization, or bacterial removal, is conducted when water is constantly recirculated past a UV disinfectant chamber and .2 micron final filter. Both of these elements are included in General Water's purification process.
The Deionization Process
The vast majority of dissolved impurities in modern water supplies are ions such as calcium, sodium, chlorides, etc. The deionization process removes ions from water via ion exchange. Positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions) are exchanged for hydrogen (H+) and hydroxyl (OH-) ions, respectively, due to the resin’s greater affinity for other ions. The ion exchange process occurs on the binding sites of the resin beads.
Deionizer Types
For discussion purposes, affordable deionizers exist in two basic forms: disposable cartridges and portable exchange tanks. General Water Technologies does not use disposable cartridges. We utilize portable exchange tanks of mixed-bed deionizers which have both cation resins and anion resins provided in the same vessel. The highest quality water is produced by mixed-bed deionizers.
Using Type I grade water for Type II water applications is a common laboratory practice. Type I grade water decreases the risk of artifact generation during experimental procedures.
Using Type I grade water for Type II water applications is a common laboratory practice. Type I grade water decreases the risk of artifact generation during experimental procedures.
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