Much like how specialized tools and equipment are required for product manufacturing, there are certain components with unique properties without which production processes cannot be carried out, and deionized water is one such component.
Deionized water, also known as DI water, is water that has been purified using a process called ion exchange. The process removes total dissolved solids (TDS) and minerals in the water such as salt (sodium chloride), minerals, carbon dioxide, organic contaminants, and other impurities leaving just a shallow content of ions.
Deionized water has numerous applications in industries, ranging from biological research, semiconductor manufacturing, to food processing. This is because the deionization makes it safe for use with sensitive instruments and chemical compounds. Other purification methods such as reverse osmosis or nanofiltration can greatly lower TDS in water too, but they can’t reduce it to zero like an industrial standard DI water system.
The primary advantage of using DI water in industries is that it protects equipment by eliminating the risk of mineral build-up. For instance, sodium, which is abundant in water, is present in a manufacturing supply, it will build up over time and corrode equipment. By installing an industrial standard DI water system, factories can purify harmful minerals from downstream processes keeping their equipment safe.
Deionized water is heavily used in the production of microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. With these products, the manufacturing process as well as the product quality are sensitive to the purity level of the DI water. This is because they require water that will not react with other ingredients in any way that can disrupt the process. Unsurprisingly, these industries have incredibly high standards of water purity level regulated using certain industry standards. This is why regular DI water system maintenance is so important for making sure that the treatment equipment is functioning at optimal level to produce high-purity water ideal for ensuring product quality.
Manufacturing processes that utilize high pressure steam in particular have a crucial need for water that has been fully deionized. Certain equipment in this type of manufacturing such as boilers and steam generators are prone to build up from minerals such as calcium carbonate, and this can reduce their efficiency and longevity drastically. They can also lead to other complications in the process of energy generation or production.
Another area where DI water plays a vital role in determining product quality is where water is used directly with the finished product mostly in the final stage of production such as rinsing. One example of such a process is the use of DI water systems in manufacturing paint lines to prevent spots from sticking on to the finished product.
Given the importance of high purity deionized water, it is not a surprise that most manufacturing plants install DI water systems. They are quite an investment considering their price, but the value they add to the manufacturing process and product quality give back high ROI. Like other industrial equipment, DI water systems need maintenance to ensure that they are functioning properly and up to industry standards. Timely maintenance also allows technicians to catch any underlying problems and fix them immediately that could otherwise turn into more serious problems.
If you need DI water system maintenance for your water treatment equipment, W2systems provides excellent commercial water treatment services. Visit their website to check out their expertise and schedule an appointment.