Water types for technical and industrial requirements
Water quality requirements vary significantly depending on the application and industry. There are various specially treated types of water available for technical, industrial and scientific purposes, which differ in their purity and composition. The following overview presents the most important types of water and describes their properties and typical areas of application
ASTM water meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and is classified according to purity classes. It is used in industry and research where specific quality standards for water are required. The various ASTM classes define purity according to the amount of solutes, particles, and organic contaminants to ensure consistent test conditions.
Aqua purificata is purified water that is typically obtained by distillation, ion exchange, or reverse osmosis. In pharmacy, it is used as a solvent and base for various drugs, as it meets the standards of purity for pharmaceutical applications. Aqua purificata is low in germs and free from contaminants that could interfere with chemical or biological reactions.
Deionized water is water from which most ions, such as cations (e.g. sodium, calcium) and anions (e.g. chloride, sulfate), have been removed through ion exchange. It is used in laboratories and industry where water quality without dissolved minerals is required. Due to the minimal ionic load, deionized water has low conductivity and is particularly suitable for sensitive applications such as electronics manufacturing and surface cleaning.
Demineralized water, also known as fully demineralized or deionized water, is water from which almost all minerals have been removed through ion exchange. Demineralized water is used in chemistry, biology and technology as a cleaning or solvent and is used as a cooling or heating medium in technical systems. Purity is measured based on electrical conductivity, which is extremely low in demineralized water.
Distilled water is produced by evaporation and subsequent condensation, which almost completely removes impurities and dissolved salts. It is used as a solvent or cleaning agent in laboratories, pharmacies, and medical applications because it contains no impurities that could affect chemical reactions. As a result of the distillation process, distilled water is particularly pure and free from microorganisms.
Deionized water is water from which most charged ions have been removed through ion exchange. It is comparable to deionized water and is often used in chemical processes, electrical engineering, and laboratories where mineral-free liquids are required. The purity of deionized water is characterized by low conductivity.
Osmosis water is produced by reverse osmosis, which forces water through a semi-permeable membrane that retains solutes, salts, and contaminants. This process makes it possible to obtain pure water for applications that require mineral-free water, for example in aquaristics, food production and drinking water treatment.
Pure water is water that has been thoroughly cleaned of impurities and contains only minimal concentrations of dissolved substances. It is used in the food and cosmetics industries as well as in laboratories where pure but not necessarily ultra-pure water is required. Pure water is usually treated by filtration and partly by ion exchange or reverse osmosis.
Ultrapure water is particularly pure water that is virtually free from all impurities, ions and organic substances. It is manufactured through multi-stage filtration, distillation, and ion exchange processes and is used in industries such as microelectronics and pharmaceutical industries, which require the highest standards of purity. The degree of purity is measured based on the very low conductivity of the water.
Fully demineralized water, often referred to as deionized water or VDI water, is water from which almost all dissolved salts have been removed by ion exchange processes. It is used in industrial applications, particularly in heating systems, to prevent calcification and corrosion and to increase energy efficiency. Fully demineralized water is often used as a fuel in technical systems and is characterized by a very low electrical conductivity, which is measured regularly to ensure quality.
District and local heating, power plants & large boilers
This standard describes the requirements for water treatment in district heating and local heating systems. Ion exchangers are used for desalination to prevent corrosion and deposits.
Conductivity, pH value, water hardness, oxygen content.
Power plants & large boilers, chemical industry
Ion exchange for water desalination in steam boiler systems to prevent deposits and corrosion. This standard requires high-purity feed water, which can only be obtained through ion exchange.
Conductivity, oxygen content, pH value.
Battery & e-mobility, chemical industry, hydrogen generation
This standard relates to high-purity water for industrial applications, which can only be achieved through ion exchange, e.g. for battery production or hydrogen production.
conductivity, ionic purity, organic carbon.
Chemical industry, laboratory & medicine
Ion exchangers are used to desalinate water before it is used in measurement systems that monitor pH and conductivity. This standard specifies requirements for monitoring such parameters.
pH value, conductivity, temperature.
Laboratory & Medicine, Cosmetics & Healthcare
Ultrapure water for the operation of steam sterilizers in medicine and pharmacy. Here, ion exchangers reduce the conductivity of the water to extremely low values.
conductivity, organic carbon, resistance (mΩ·cm).
Laboratory & Medicine, Chemical Industry
Ultrapure water for laboratory applications, particularly in analytical processes, where traces of ion contamination could lead to disturbances. Ion exchange is used here as an important stage.
conductivity, purity, impurities.
District and local heating, home and building technology
Heating water treatment to prevent corrosion and calcium deposits. Mixed-bed resins are used to desalinate and treat heating water to reduce water hardness.
pH value, conductivity, water hardness.
Power plants & large boilers, district and local heating
Evaporative cooling systems require careful water treatment to prevent corrosion and deposits. Mixed-bed resins are used to desalinate the water.
Water hardness, pH value, bacterial load.
Home and building technology, hotels & restaurants, power plants & large boilers
Water quality requirements in air conditioning systems and other ventilation systems. Ion exchangers are used here to reduce conductivity and ensure water quality.
corrosion protection, microorganisms, chemical compounds.
