What is Deionized Water?
Deionized water, often referred to as DI water, is a type of purified water that has had its mineral ions, such as sodium, calcium, iron, and copper, removed. This process is achieved through ion exchange resins that swap the undesirable ions with hydrogen and hydroxyl ions, which combine to form water. Unlike typical tap water, which contains various dissolved salts and minerals, deionized water is essentially free of these impurities.
According to the Water Quality Association (WQA), deionized water is produced using a deionization process that involves passing water through ion exchange materials, which remove undesirable ions and replace them with hydrogen and hydroxyl ions. This results in water that is free of dissolved ionic contaminants.
Common Industries & Uses for DI Water
Deionized water is indispensable across various industries due to its purity and unique properties. Here are some common applications:
- Pharmaceuticals: Used in the production of medications and for cleaning purposes to ensure no contaminants affect the drugs.
- Beverage Industry: Employed to ensure the consistency and safety of the final product.
- Liquid Detergents: Used as a base ingredient to avoid reactions with other chemicals.
- Immersion Cooling Applications: Used for cooling sensitive electronic components due to its non-conductive nature.
- Automotive Applications: Utilized in battery manufacturing and cooling systems.
- Biochemistry Applications: Essential for creating precise chemical reactions.
- Cosmetic Products: Used to ensure products are free from impurities that could affect skin health.
- Cleaning Electronic Devices: Prevents electrical damage during the cleaning process.
- Cooling Systems: Ideal for laser welding and other processes requiring pure water.
- A/C Fire Extinguishers: Used to avoid leaving residues after extinguishing fires.
- Electronic Discharge Machining (EDM): Ensures precision by preventing electrical interference.
- Cooling Towers: Helps prevent scale and corrosion in cooling systems.

Two Primary Benefits of DI Water for Commercial & Industrial Applications
1. Resistivity to Electricity
In its purest state, deionized water measures 18.3 Megohms of resistivity, meaning it has a very high resistance to electricity. Pure water does not conduct electricity well because it lacks the charged ions that typically carry an electric charge. This makes DI water ideal for use in applications where electrical conductivity needs to be minimized, such as in cooling electronic devices or immersion cooling applications.
2. Neutral pH
Deionized water has a neutral pH of 7, making it a blank slate that can take on the characteristics of any substance added to it. This neutrality is crucial in industries like pharmaceuticals and biochemistry, where the purity and predictability of water are essential for creating precise formulations and solutions.

The Importance of DI Water
Deionized water’s purity is vital for many industrial and commercial processes. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, the presence of any impurities in the water used to create injectable solutions can lead to serious health consequences. DI water ensures that medications and other products are chemically sound and free from contaminants that could affect their efficacy and safety.
DI Exchange Tanks
High Purity DI Exchange Tanks are used in various lab applications, constructed with cation, anion, or mixed bed applications, as well as high-purity applications involving UV and Absolute Cartridges. These tanks ensure that the water remains deionized and free of impurities during use.
EDI Filtration
Electro-deionization (EDI) water filtration systems offer an advanced method for producing lab-pure water. EDI systems use electricity to remove ionized particles from water, resulting in a highly efficient and low-energy process with a 95% water recovery rate. This makes EDI an ideal choice for pharmaceutical and lab applications where water purity is paramount.

Conclusion
Deionized water is a critical component in many industrial and commercial applications due to its high purity and unique properties. From pharmaceuticals to cooling systems, DI water ensures that processes run smoothly and products remain safe and effective. Understanding the benefits and uses of deionized water can help industries optimize their operations and maintain the highest standards of quality and safety.
Contact our team today for more information on how we can help make your business more efficient with commercial or industrial water treatment.
References