Among all common water filtration methods, deionization refers to the process of removing all dissolved salts from water. Deionization necessitates the passage of water through two ion exchange materials, in order to eliminate all salt content.
The industry uses the terms demineralization and deionization interchangeably. While, the term demineralization is more commonly used, the term deionization is more appropriate.
Ions that are eliminated in the Deionization process
Deionization is typically a two-stage process. Cations are removed in the first stage, and anions are eliminated in the second stage. When the water quality requirements are stringent, a polisher unit known as a mixed bed is also used.
It removes two types of ions:
- positively charged "cations"
- negatively charged "anions"
Cations (Removed by Cation Resins) |
Anions (Removed by Anion Resins) |
Calcium (Ca++) |
Chlorides (Cl-) |
Magnesium (Mg++) |
Sulfates (SO4--) |
Iron (Fe+++) |
Nitrates (NO3-) |
Manganese (Mn++) |
Carbonates (CO3--) |
Water Softeners
Water softener systems, like deionized water systems, use an ion exchange process that includes tiny plastic resin beads with positive or negative charges. When water is passed through the resin bed of a deionization system, which is typically in the form of a column or tank, mineral particles with matching electrical charges connect to the resin beads, and remain attached until the ions are eliminated. The resin bed will eventually accumulate too many ions to be useful.
What are the Water Deionization Methods?
There are three methods for deionizing water:
• Ion Exchange: Co-current deionization involves water and regeneration chemicals, entering at the top and exiting at the bottom of an ion exchange column.
• Separate Bed System: Water is pumped from the top and regeneration chemicals are pumped from the bottom,in counter-current deionization or vice versa. When compared to co-current deionization, counter-current regeneration takes less time, resulting in fewer regenerant and lower total costs.
• Mixed Bed System: For mixed bed deionization, a 50/50 mixture of cation and anion resin is used, in a single ion exchange column. This procedure frequently necessitates a complex regeneration process, which raises the cost but produces the most highly filtered water, of the various processes.
Water treatment services use deionization systems to remove minerals and improve water purity, by eliminating ions with positive and negative charges from water.
Benefits of deionization
In some ways, deionized water is similar to distilled water, but the deionization system is faster and has the added benefit of reducing scale build-up in piping. Deionization does not eliminate germs or viruses found in water, but distillation does.
Applications of deionization
Laboratory testing, electronics manufacturing, food processing, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, large aquariums or fish tanks, and other industrial water uses, are the most common uses for deionized or demineralized water.
Deionized water can be also used for a variety of other purposes, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Machines for woodworking or metalworking
• Material-transporting pipes
• Ship hulls, particularly naval vessels
• Automobiles, aircraft, and trains
• Metal fencing
Conclusion
Deionized water is still being researched to determine its effectiveness, in reducing corrosion in metal items. Natural salts react with the metal to cause corrosion and breakage, in non-deionized water pollutants.
Because, it contains far fewer pollutants, deionized water should be effective in preventing corrosion. In practice, results vary greatly depending on a variety of conditions, necessitating more definitive testing.
If you have any questions about water treatment plants, or if you would like to discuss about the process of deionization, please contact the Netsol Water Solutions team right away. Our team is an expert in water treatment and can help you tailor a solution to your specific requirements.
We collaborate with our clients to design a customized water treatment solution that meets your specific requirements, as well as an on-going service plan to completely maintain your system.
Netsol Water is Greater Noida-based leading water & wastewater treatment plant manufacturer. We are industry's most demanding company based on client review and work quality. We are known as best commercial RO plant manufacturers, industrial RO plant manufacturer, sewage treatment plant manufacturer, Water Softener Plant Manufacturers and effluent treatment plant manufacturers. Apart from this 24x7 customer support is our USP. Call on +91-9650608473, or write us at enquiry@netsolwater.com for any support, inquiry or product-purchase related query.