Industrial Deionizers: A Quick Guide for Engineers and Technical Teams
Industrial deionizers are used to produce extremely high-purity water by removing ions from water. Engineers and technical teams working in industries like pharmaceuticals, laboratories, and power generation need a solid understanding of how industrial deionizers (DI) operate and their role in producing ultra-pure water.
Principles of Operation
Deionizers work through a process of ion exchange, similar to industrial water softeners but more comprehensively. They remove not only hardness ions but also other cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions). This enables deionizers to produce high-purity water with extremely low levels of dissolved solids.
Key Components
- Cation Exchange Resin: The cation resin removes positively charged ions (like calcium and sodium).
- Anion Exchange Resin: The anion resin removes negatively charged ions (like chloride and sulfate).
Maintenance
Like water softeners, resin regeneration is critical to industrial deionizer performance. Strong acids and bases are used to regenerate the resins after they become saturated with contaminants. Without regular preventative maintenance, the system’s ability to remove ions and produce high-purity water will diminish.
Applications
Deionization is commonly used for high-purity water production, especially in laboratories and industries that require extremely low levels of dissolved solids. They are also used in treating boiler feed water, where removing ions helps prevent corrosion and scaling in high-pressure boilers.
Where to Get Help
You won’t need to know everything about industrial deionization (DI), but you should know where to find expert support. Industrial Water Solutions has been installing, maintaining, and servicing industrial water systems for more than 90 years. Contact our friendly technical support team at 800-820-9021 or info@industrialh2osolutions.com with your questions, and take advantage of the free, online industrial water calculators and technical articles at industrialh2osolutions.com.
