Water is an essential requirement in various industries that is mostly used for rinsing and cleaning certain components. But the water used in industrial applications is no ordinary water but with an extremely high level of purity. This is to ensure that impurities and contaminants in the water such as calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, chlorides, sulfates, and bicarbonates that affect the quality of the products manufactured.
Purifying water for industrial use is an arduous task that requires the installation of commercial water treatment systems. This is partly because of the enormous volume of water industries use and partly because water does have a high content of impurities that need to be removed. It is also the reason why commercial water treatment services in CA are in high demand among factories and industrial plants.
There are various commercial water treatment methods for industrial use and each has its own unique way of purifying water. This article will highlight some of the most widely used water treatment methods used in industry.
Deionization
Deionization also known as ion exchange is a water treatment method that removes minerals, mainly calcium and magnesium from water by exchanging ions. Deionization uses a bed of spherical resin beads that are charged with sodium ions to turn hard water (water with a rich content of calcium and magnesium) into soft water.
In a deionization process, the resin bead (usually made from polystyrene) acts as an anion (negatively charged), and the calcium and magnesium minerals act as cations (positively charged). Since opposite charges attract, the positive charges of the minerals of the hard water are attracted to the negative charge of the resin beads. As a result, when the hard water passes through the resin bed, the polystyrene beads attract the mineral ions preventing them from leaving the tank. When the beads bind with the mineral ions, they release sodium ions which is why the treatment system is called ion exchange.
Dealkalization
Dealkalization is a water treatment process mostly used in boiler rooms for removing carbonate alkalinity in water before it is supplied to boilers. When carbonate and bicarbonate ions break down during steam production, they produce Hydroxide (OH) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2). When the steam condenses, these two elements dissolve and form carbonic acid (H2CO3), a highly corrosive compound that can damage equipment. Dealkalization prevents the formation of carbonic acid making water safe for use in equipment.
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse osmosis is a water treatment method that uses a semi-permeable membrane to filter unwanted molecules and large particles such as chlorine, salt, dirt and other impurities from water. Reverse osmosis is also an efficient method for removing a host of microorganisms present in water that make it unfit for various applications including consumption. It is a preferred water treatment method because it cleans water down to a molecular level.
UV Sterilization
UV sterilization uses ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria, microbes, and other microorganisms in water. It involves passing water through a tank exposed to UV light and is one of the most effective methods of purifying water.
Conclusion
Water is an indispensable component in industry and the level of its purity can have considerable impact on the quality of product or longevity of equipment used. For factories and industrial plants, it is imperative to have a water treatment system capable of delivering water that meets the quality standards of their applications.
If you have a water treatment system that needs upgrading or maintenance, W2 Systems provide comprehensive commercial water treatment services in CA. Contact us and we’ll provide the right solution to your water treatment needs.