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Unpurified water has become one of the major problems all over the
world not only in big cities, but also in rural areas as well. Today, this
unpurified water is the major reason behinds lots of diseases both in
human beings and animals. To get rid of this severe problem, several
ways have been adopted to purify the water. At present, water is
available in different types like distilled, deionized, filtered, soft & hard
Water. Many people have no idea about purification of water through
different processes and here is a general discussion about differences
between these types of water.
Distilled water
When we remove the impurities in water like microscopic contamination
through distillation process, this resulted water is called distilled water.
Distillation is the process, in which water is boiled first and then
condensate its steam again into liquid form to obtain distilled water.
Deionized water
When we remove not only microscopic impurities that are present in
water, but also mineral salts of calcium, sodium, copper, iron, bromide
and chloride as well by means of ionization process, the resulted water
is called as deionized water. The ionization process involves the
separation of salt ions by means of positive and negative electrodes in
electrically charged solution.
Filtered water
When we remove exposed impurities from water by means of a filter,
the resulted water is known as filtered water. A filter use for water
filtration could be of physical barrier type like gauze or a chemical
process type.
Soft water
Normally, calcium and magnesium ions like calcium and magnesium
bicarbonates are present in the water that provides hindrance in action
of soaps or detergents. When we remove these Ca and Mg ions from
water by means of ion exchange or precipitation method, the obtained
water is called soft water that give efficient cleaning response after
mixing with soap.
Hard water
Hard water is that type of water, in which mineral contents like Ca and
Mg ions as well as chlorides are present in abundance and create
hardness in water. This hard water does not provide good cleaning
results due to having no ability of mixing with soap.
Distilled vs Deionized vs Filtered vs Soft vs Hard Water
Hard water is the type of water that is enriched with mineral salts and
has no affinity for soaps for cleaning and also not very good for drinking
purpose as well. soft water is the treated form to water to remove the
mineral salts from water for making it suitable for cleaning as well as
drinking purpose. The other three types of water like distilled, deionized
and filtered water are also purified forms of water to remove impurities
but the way of purification is different. Distillation, ionization and
filtration are the processes that involve in purification of distilled,
deionized and filtered water respectively.
Lets consider the distillation. Whats happening in the process of distillation? The water
molecules have the boiling point of 100C or 212 F. Other substances have different
boiling points. The substance that boils at a lower temperature evaporates first. The boiling
point of various impurities is higher, and, theoretically, they will begin to evaporate, when
the water has already boiled out. The substance that boils at a lower temperature
evaporates first. Due to this difference the water is separated.
As a result, theoretically after the distillation the absolutely pure water is obtained. Actually,
organic substances, which have similar boiling point than that of water can slip in
the distilled water. For example, if the water contains the oil drops they can be found
also in the distillate. There are practically no salts in the distilled water, because the salt
boils at a much higher temperature. To eliminate the problem of organic substances,
the water distillers have pre- and post water filters.
The absolute advantage of the distilled water is the complete absence of harmful
substances.
Distillation is used mainly in laboratories and factories, where it is needed. Reverse osmosis
is widely used in water treatment plants, both at home and for manufacture of various
drinks, bottled water, etc.
Distillation, RO and deionization processes are intended to purify the water of the
contaminants: mercury, lead, strontium, nitrates, phosphates, manganese, as well
pesticides.