Demineralised Water vs Distilled Water

NICOLE ENAD 1st Nov 2024

Demineralised Water

You may not realize most of the water you drink has some mineral content in it.

All watercontains certain minerals and compounds. Those minerals and salts are picked up by water as it percolates through the ground and soil. [1]

Most water sources are usually derived fromgroundwater, springs, rivers, or lakes and will undergo some form of filtration or sterilisation or purification at a treatment center before making its way to your home or business.This process helps ensure the water is safe to use while retaining essential minerals that contribute to its overall quality.[2]

The common water you know such as tap water, bottled mineral water, or regular bottled waterhave all undergone this treatment process.These types of drinking water retain most of their mineral content because these minerals provide nutritional benefits essential for health.

In contrast, the goal of demineralized water is to remove most, if not all, of its mineral content. This makes it primarily used for industrial applications, laboratories, and specific medical settings rather than for drinking.

What is Demineralized water?

Demineralized water is simplywater that has been treated to remove most of its mineral content in a process called demineralisation. [3]

Demineralisation of water is a process of removing minerals and other impurities from water to make it suitable for industrial applications. This is done through various methods such as [4}:

Distillation,

Deionization

Electrodialysis

Ion exchange

Electrodeionization

Reverse Osmosis (Membrane Filtration)

The goal is to produce high quality water that is free from impurities that could potentially damage equipment or affect the quality of the end product.

Demineralisation is particularly important for industries such as pharmaceutical formulations, food and beverage processing, laboratory processes, and cleaning procedures, where high quality water is essential for their process.

How is Water Demineralised?

1. Distillation. Distillation is a way to make water clean by boiling it. When water is heated, it turns into steam, and the dirt and minerals stay behind. The steam then cools down and turns back into water. This clean water can be used for drinking and cooking.

2. Deionization. Deionization is a method that removes tiny charged particles called ions from water. Water passes through special beads that grab onto the bad ions, like calcium. The beads hold the bad ions and let clean water flow through. This process helps make the water pure and safe to use.

3. Electrodialysis. Electrodialysis uses electricity to clean water. When the water is placed between two charged plates, the positive and negative ions move to opposite sides. Special membranes help separate the ions from the water, leaving behind clean water. This process is useful for making sure the water is safe to drink.

4. Ion Exchange. Ion exchange is a way to swap out bad ions in water for good ones. As water flows through a tank filled with tiny beads, the bad ions stick to the beads while good ions, like sodium, are released into the water. This helps make the water cleaner and is often used in water softeners for homes.

5. Electrodeionization. Electrodeionization combines electricity and ion exchange to make water very pure. Water moves through a system with ion exchange beads and electrodes. The electricity pulls out the bad ions, while the beads help remove more impurities. This method makes clean water that can be used in important places, like hospitals.

6. Reverse Osmosis (Membrane Filtration). Reverse osmosis is a process that filters water to remove bad stuff. Water is pushed through a special filter that has tiny holes. These holes let only clean water pass through while blocking dirt, minerals, and germs. The result is very clean water that is great for drinking and cooking.

How Much Minerals Are Removed?

Demineralization by ion exchange, electrodeionization, or membrane filtration can produce water that is nearly 100% free of minerals and salts.

Depending on the technology used, the number of dissolved solids in water that has been demineralized can reach below 10 mg/l. [5]

What is demineralized water for?

Demineralisation is important for industrial processes because it ensures that the water used in these processes is of high quality and free from impurities.

Impurities in water can cause corrosion, scaling, and fouling of equipment, which can lead to reduced efficiency, increased maintenance costs, and even equipment failure.

Demineralized (DM) water, with its minimal ion content, finds widespread applications across various commercial and industrial sectors [6]:

In the food industry, it serves as a source for producing beverages like beer, juices, mineral water, as well as for preparing seasonings and flavorings to meet quality standards.

In biopharmaceuticals, it's used for producing injectable water, drug formulations, intravenous fluids, as well as diluting and preparing culture media and rinsing agents.

In cosmetics, the high purity of demineralized water ensures the quality and safety of products like lotions, creams, masks, and toners, enhancing brand trust and consumer satisfaction.

In electronics and chemicals, ultra-pure deionized water is utilized for cleaning electronic components and manufacturing equipment surfaces, suitable for precision processes like computer chip and semiconductor production. It's also used for diluting industrial wastewater, reducing treatment costs.

In laboratories and healthcare, DM water is employed for preparing solvent reagents to ensure accurate experimental results. Kidney dialysis is a typical medical application.

In cleaning, demineralized water is used for cleaning laboratory and medical equipment, food processing machinery, and containers to maintain cleanliness. Its lack of minerals also makes it suitable for car and glass cleaning, leaving no water spots.

In cooling systems, using di water reduces scale buildup, enhances heat transfer efficiency, prolongs equipment lifespan, and significantly lowers maintenance costs. This technology is widely applied in various fields, including fire extinguishers, automotive cooling systems, cooling towers, and steam boilers.

In horticulture and agriculture, demineralized water, free from harmful chemicals and soluble salts, can be safely used for irrigation. Additionally, it'sutilized for preparing nutrient solutions and diluting pesticides.

Is demineralised water safe to drink?

No. It’s not recommended to drink demineralized water, as health experts have reported that drinking extremely pure water can increase the risk of developing multiple mineral deficiencies.

The best source of drinking water is natural spring water, but not everyone has access to natural sources, nor are they always sanitary enough to drink through a tap. So, the second-best option would be to drink distilled water produced by a water distiller or bottled distilled water.

If demineralized water is the only source of drinking water, you must make sure you’re getting the minerals your body needs and consider taking hydration supplements such as trace minerals.

What is the Difference Between Demineralized Water and Distilled Water?

A question often asked is what are the main differences between demineralized water and distilled water?

Distillation and demineralization are both successful ways to purify water, yet they have different methods to achieve that goal, and they produce different end results.

Demineralized water removes minerals from water, leaving you with only water, however, demineralized water can still contain bacteria/viruses.

But, in distilled water, suspended particles, organic materials, bacteria, viruses, and other impurities are removed.

Therefore, distillation is a much more effective method of purifying water than demineralization, despite demineralization removing trace elements that slip through the distillation process. Because of this, most industries combine demineralization and distillation to produce the purest water. [5]

Can I use demineralised water instead of distilled water?

In industrial processes, no, because water purity is a critical factor.

Two of the most commonly used types of purified water in industrial settings are demineralized water and distilled water. While both serve to remove impurities, they do so in different ways and are suited for different applications.

Demineralized Water: Demineralized water is free of most dissolved salts and minerals. However, the ion exchange process may not remove all organic contaminants, bacteria, or non-ionic substances. This makes it highly suitable for applications where mineral content needs to be minimized but where ultra-pure water is not necessarily required.

Distilled Water: Distilled water, on the other hand, is generally purer than demineralized water because the distillation process removes not only minerals but also a wide range of organic contaminants, bacteria, and viruses. This makes distilled water ideal for applications that require the highest levels of purity.

Whether it's used in cooling systems, manufacturing pharmaceuticals, or operating sensitive equipment, the quality of the water directly impacts the efficiency, safety, and success of these operations.

Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications: For industries like pharmaceuticals, where water purity is critical, distilled water is often the preferred choice due to its higher purity levels. It ensures that the final product is free from contaminants that could compromise safety or efficacy.

Industrial Cooling and Boiler Systems: Demineralized water is commonly used in industrial cooling and boiler systems where the primary concern is preventing mineral buildup that can lead to scaling and corrosion. The lower cost and adequate purity levels make it an ideal choice for these applications.

Food and Beverage Production: Both demineralized and distilled water are used in the food and beverage industry, but the choice depends on the specific application. For instance, distilled water is preferred in the production of beverages where taste and purity are paramount, while demineralized water may be used in processes where mineral removal is more critical than the elimination of organic contaminants.

Advantages and Disadvantages

When deciding between demineralized and distilled water for your industrial processes, it’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each to determine which is the best fit for your needs.

Advantages of Demineralized Water

Efficiency in Removing Dissolved Minerals: Demineralized water is highly effective at removing mineral ions, making it ideal for preventing scaling and corrosion in systems where these issues are a concern.

Lower Energy and Production Costs: Demineralization, particularly through ion exchange or reverse osmosis, generally consumes less energy and is more cost-effective than distillation, making it a more economical choice for industries that require large quantities of purified water.

Scalability: Demineralization systems are easily scalable, allowing industries to adjust their water purification capacity based on their needs without significant additional investment.

Disadvantages of Demineralized Water

Incomplete Removal of Organic Contaminants: While effective at removing minerals, demineralized water may still contain organic contaminants, bacteria, or viruses, which can be problematic in industries requiring ultra-pure water.

Limited Suitability for Certain Applications: Due to its lower purity level compared to distilled water, demineralized water may not be suitable for applications such as pharmaceutical manufacturing or laboratory work, where the highest water quality is essential.

Advantages of Distilled Water

High Purity Levels: Distilled water is among the purest forms of water available, with nearly all contaminants, including minerals, organic compounds, and microorganisms, removed during the distillation process. This makes it ideal for applications requiring ultra-pure water.

Versatility in High-Purity Applications: Distilled water is suitable for a wide range of applications, from medical devices and laboratory equipment to food production and electronics manufacturing, where high water purity is crucial.

Disadvantages of Distilled Water

Higher Energy Consumption: The distillation process requires significant energy to boil and condense water, making it more expensive to produce on a large scale compared to demineralized water.

Slower Production Process: Distillation is generally a slower process compared to demineralization, which can limit its scalability and increase costs in industries with high water demands.

What is Demineralized Water Price?

The price of demineralized water is relatively affordable. Typically, a 500-milliliter bottle may range from $0.5 to $2. However, specific prices can vary based on factors such as brand, product specifications, and regional market conditions. It's advisable to compare demineralized water prices from different retailers to find the best deals.

Where to Buy Demineralized Water?

You can easily purchase high-quality demineralized water products directly from our online store, MedCart.

How is demineralized and distilled water different from tap water, bottled mineral water and natural spring water?

Demineralized and distilled water differs from other types of water in several key factors, primarily due to its treatment processes and intended use.

Here is a table showing the differences in treatment processes and intended uses for demineralized water, distilled water, tap water, bottled mineral water, and regular bottled water (natural spring water):