Fistreem International manufactures water purification products. Its well-known Cyclon and Calypso water stills are sold worldwide.
When it comes to pure water, the new Hydros deionizer is a dependable and affordable solution for laboratories.
Why is it Important to Use Pure Water in a Laboratory?
Pure water is essential for nearly all life science experiments to yield accurate and repeatable results. The water quality used in experiments is as crucial as any other reagents used to avoid contamination and guarantee the best outcomes.
The laboratory water quality also impacts the effectiveness and performance of analytical instruments. High-quality water guarantees better outcomes and contributes to equipment longevity by lowering maintenance and downtime.
What is Deionized Water?
Water without ions is known as deionized water (DI). Deionization eliminates inorganic ions frequently absorbed through the soil, like calcium or sodium, and copper which is absorbed through water pipes. The process is depicted in full in the diagram below.
Image Credit: Synoptics Ltd
How is Deionized Water Produced?
Hydrogen (positive) and hydroxyl (negative) molecules are added to water to replace negative and positive molecules in deionization systems. This is accomplished by chemically removing ions from feedwater using synthetic ion-exchange resins. Hydrogen and hydroxide ions trade for dissolved minerals as the water flows through, then combine again to form water.
Cation-exchange and anion-exchange resins are used to make deionization resin beds or columns in separate beds or packaged together.
The three types of deionization are mixed bed, co-current, and counter-current.
- The term "co-current deionization" describes the initial downflow procedure in which regeneration chemicals and input water enter an ion exchange column at its top and leave at its bottom.
- Two types of counter-current deionization exist. Upflow columns are the first type, in which water enters the exchange column from the bottom and regenerates at the top. Upflow regeneration is the second type, in which water enters from above and replenishes from below.
- In mixed bed deionization, a single ion exchange column containing a 50/50 mixture of carbon and anion resin is used.
It is significant to note that when the conductivity of the outlet water surpasses 15 µs, resins need to be replenished or regenerated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. As a result, frequent checks are necessary to ensure the resin is not saturated and produces sufficient purity. With the easy-to-read conductivity meter integrated into the Fistreem Hydros deionizer, the user can rapidly ascertain the cartridge's efficiency.
How is Deionized Water Different from Distilled Water?
Distilled and deionized water are pure water forms, and their production processes differ. Boiling water produces steam, which must then be collected to create distilled water. On the other hand, deionized water undergoes a filtration process that involves using a resin to remove impurities from its ions.
What is Deionized Water Used For?
Applications for deionized water include general laboratory work, clinical biochemistry, electrochemistry, cell and tissue culture, molecular biology, mass spectrometry, and spectrophotometry in various industries. Deionized water can be a good substitute unless extremely high-purity water is required, as it can be produced more quickly and affordably.
Looking for a Deionized Water Purification System?
Fistreem International offers a range of world-leading water purification products. The latest addition to the Fistreem family is the Hydros deionizer. This device utilizes deionization to eliminate water impurities and provide readily available clean water. Its compact benchtop design and easy set-up make it a valuable addition to the laboratory.