Distillation vs Water Maker

Lab applications are impossible without the use of water. Researchers and scientists use water in nearly all applications and experiments. If you are working in a lab, you may require water for executing simple and complex experiments. And to fulfill this,  you install a lab water purification system that produces the purified water(type I, type II, type III). In the market, there are many purified water suggestions and laboratory water purifiers. 

Among the purified water types, the most usable is the distilled water and the type I water (ultrapure water).  The former is used for many simple experiments and rinsing of medical instruments. And the latter is used for executing some analytical and complex experiments. However, some other types of pure water also exist.

As far as the distillation and pure water are concerned. The distilled water is also seen as the fit for drinking water. But the ultrapure water is not the ideal fit for drinking purpose. It is highly recommended to not use type I (ultrapure water) for the drinking process because of its hazardous nature.  While the distilled water can be used for drinking when anyone wants contaminants-free water. However, in some terms, the distilled water is also not good for drinking purposes. In labs, and other places, the distilled water, and purified water are both used for the experiments. Though both kinds of water are good for lab experiments, there are some differences between the two.  Before going for any water purification system for laboratory use, one should know what is distilled water and what is purified water. 

What Is Distilled Water?

The end product of the distillation process is called distilled water. In this process, contaminated full water is heated and boiled to its steam position. All organic and inorganic compounds with non-volatile organic molecules do not get evaporated and thus, remain in the vessel. The water escapes the vessel with steam which is condensed further to form the distilled water. This condensation process takes place in a separate vessel.

In simple words, distillation is a process of turning liquid into vapor and then again liquid. The piece used in this process is called “still”. Nowadays, advanced stills are present in the market for the distillation process. Some advanced distillation stills are automated also.

In the lab water system, the distilled water is also produced which is used for experiments and rinsing purposes. In other words, distillation is called the water purification technology which removes contaminants from the water. The end product is the purified water which is called distilled water.

The equipment for this distillation process can be also called a distillation unit which is specialized for purifying the contaminated water. A water purification system for laboratory use also has this specification of distilled water with ultrapure water.

Advantages Of Distilled Water

Distilled water is called purified water as it is condensed from the steam. It does not contain any contaminants as well as being helpful in experimental studies. It is also helpful in the rinsing of experimental apparatus to make it clean. The lab water purification system for the laboratory uses the system for generating the distilled water.

Disadvantages Of Distilled Water

With the above advantages, the distilled water also has some drawbacks which are as follows:

• The Use of a lot of water and electricity: The distillation unit uses a lot of water and electricity to purify the water. This is a wastage of water and electricity. To purify 4 liters it takes upto 3KW of electricity. 
• 94% of the water is used to produce only 6% of distilled water which is a small amount.
• The distillation still needs regular de-scaling for the production of distilled water.
• The distillation unit cannot be produced on demand. It is one of the major drawbacks.
• Distilled water is stored in a separate vessel after the whole process of distillation. This contributes to the contamination of the purified water.
• The above also paves the way for the further leaching of the purified water. In the leaching process, it also depends on the material of the vessel.
• The distillation unit also takes a lot of larger space.
• The unit can have the possibility of breakage

Let’s move on to the next segment of knowing what ultrapure water is.

What Is Ultrapure Water?

Ultrapure water is the purest form of water used in the lab. It is also known as type I water. Any lab water purification system has a specific apparatus for the production of ultrapure water. Many analytical experiments require ultrapure water for execution.  As there is a very low level of contaminants present in the water. Because of the absence of impurities, ultrapure water is highly recommended. In analytical experiments, if any impurity harps on in the water, the whole of the experiment is regarded as inappropriate.

In some terms, ultrapure water is way better than distilled water. The watermaker or lab water system has the specification for producing ultrapure water. As a researcher, you always want good results out of your experiments. But with tap water or normal water, does contain impurities that are not good for the experiments. In the lab, a watermaker is employed for the process, which can produce ultrapure water in enough amounts with good specifications. In the purified ultrapure water, the TOC contents are also low and have a resistivity of 18.2 M-ohm-cm. These specifications can be monitored by looking into the monitors on the laboratory water purifier. 

It is seen that the ultrapure watermaker is a better option than the distilled water unit. Following are the advantages for the ultrapure unit :

• Membrane-Based Technology For Water Purification:  The lab water purification system has extensive membrane-based technology for ultrapure water purification. This is an added advantage to the ultrapure unit.
• The system used for water purification is highly efficient in removing microorganisms, suspended solids, pyrogens, and metal ions. The small impurities also get trapped in the filters.
• Some higher inorganic and organic matters get eliminated through the ultrapure system’s technology.
• The unit takes up low energy to purify the water.
• The ultrapure unit requires low maintenance as compared to the distillation unit.
• The various levels of water purification ensure the perfect production of ultrapure water.
• Low level of electricity consumption.
• There is zero wastage of energy with the ultrapure system.
• The water also remains impurity-free for a longer time. 
• There is no boil-up time like the distillation unit.
• No wastage on cooling the ultrapure water in a lab water system.
• Low levels of TOC and have good resistance power for analytical experiments.

Which Is Better? The Distilled Water Or Ultrapure Water?

As mentioned above, the advantages of both systems are considerable. But the advantages of the ultrapure system are more reliable than the distilled water system.  For good execution of the analytical experiments, ultrapure water is good.  In some aspects, the distilled water can also be used. But the usage of ultrapure water is better.

Conclusion

The distilled water and the ultrapure water have both different uses in a lab. A water purification system laboratory has the technology for producing pure water types. However, the distillation units are found as separate entities whereas the ultrapure system comes along with the lab water system.