Acidulants
Collectors
Dust Suppressants
Explosives and Blasting Agents
Flocculants and Coagulants
Frothers
Leaching Agents
pH Modifiers
Precious Metal Extraction Agents
Antioxidants(plastic)
Colorants (Pigments, Dyes)
Fillers and Reinforcements
Flame Retardants
Monomers
Plasticizers
Polymerization Initiators
Stabilizers (UV, Heat)
Antifoaming Agents
Chelating Agents
Coagulants and Flocculants
Corrosion Inhibitors
Disinfectants and Biocides
Oxidizing Agents
pH Adjusters
Scale Inhibitors( water)
Antioxidants(cosmetic)
Emollients
Fragrances and Essential Oils
Humectants
Preservatives
Surfactants(cosmetic)
Thickeners
UV Filters
Admixtures
Waterproofing Agents
Sealants and Adhesives
Curing Compounds
Concrete Repair Chemicals
Anti-Corrosion Coatings
Surfactants(cleaning)
Builders
Enzymes
Solvents (Cleaning)
FragrancesDISTILLED WATER: THE UNIVERSAL SOLVENT FOR PRECISION APPLICATIONS
Distilled water (H₂O) is ultra-purified through vaporization and condensation, removing >99.9% of dissolved solids, minerals, and microorganisms. With global consumption exceeding 50 billion liters annually, this benchmark purity standard serves critical roles in laboratories, pharmaceuticals, automotive systems, and medical applications where ionic contamination must be minimized.
Key Specifications & Production
Physical/Chemical Properties
- Conductivity: 0.5-5 μS/cm (vs. 50-500 for tap water)
- TDS: <1 ppm (EPA/ISO standards)
- pH: 5.0-6.5 (due to CO₂ absorption)
- Resistivity: 1-18 MΩ·cm (Type I/II)
Production Methods
| Process | Purity Level | Output (L/hr) | Energy Cost |
| Single Distillation | 99.9% | 50-200 | 1.0 kWh/L |
| Multi-Effect Still | 99.99% | 500-5,000 | 0.3 kWh/L |
| Vapor Compression | 99.95% | 1,000-10,000 | 0.15 kWh/L |
Quality Standards
| Parameter | ASTM Type I | Pharmacopeial | Battery Grade |
| Conductivity (μS/cm) | ≤0.1 | ≤1.3 | ≤5 |
| TOC (ppb) | ≤50 | ≤500 | ≤1000 |
| Silica (ppb) | ≤3 | ≤100 | ≤500 |
| Endotoxins (EU/mL) | N/A | <0.25 | N/A |
Critical Applications
1. Laboratory & Pharmaceutical (40% Usage)
- HPLC Mobile Phases:
- Prevents column contamination
- Requires <1 ppb heavy metals
- Cell Culture Media:
- USP WFI (Water for Injection) standards
- Pyrogen-free processing
2. Industrial Processes
- Lead-Acid Batteries:
- 5-10L/kWh battery capacity
- Prevents sulfation (Ca²⁺ <0.5 ppm)
- Humidification Systems:
- Avoids mineral scaling
3. Medical & Healthcare
- Sterile Irrigation:
- USP purified water standard
- 0.2μm filtered
- CPAP Machines:
- Prevents mineral deposits
4. Automotive
- Coolant Dilution:
- 1:1 with ethylene glycol
- Prevents electrolytic corrosion
- Battery Top-Up:
- Maintains specific gravity
Performance Comparison
| Water Type | TDS (ppm) | Microbial | Cost ($/L) |
| Distilled | <1 | Sterile | 0.05-0.20 |
| Deionized | <10 | Varies | 0.02-0.10 |
| RO Water | 5-50 | Not sterile | 0.01-0.05 |
| Tap Water | 50-500 | Present | 0.001 |
Storage & Handling
✅ Best Practices:
- Containers:
- Polyethylene/Teflon (avoid glass leaching)
- Preservation:
- Nitrogen blanketing prevents CO₂ absorption
- Shelf Life:
- 24 hours (open), 6 months (sealed)
⚠ Contamination Risks:
- Airborne CO₂: Lowers pH to ~5.7
- Plasticizers: From HDPE containers
- Biofilm: In stagnant systems
Market Insights
Production Capacity
- Industrial Scale:
- 10,000+ L/hr systems (power plants)
- Laboratory Scale:
- 4-20 L/hr quartz stills
Price Factors
- Pharma Grade: $0.50-2.00/L
- Technical Grade: $0.10-0.30/L
- Bulk Industrial: $0.05-0.15/L
Emerging Trends
- Point-of-Use Generation:
- Compact vapor compression units
- Renewable Distillation:
- Solar-powered stills
Conclusion
Distilled water remains the gold standard for purity-demanding applications where even trace ions could compromise processes. While reverse osmosis and deionization compete for some uses, distillation’s absolute particulate removal and sterility ensure its continued dominance in critical scientific, medical, and industrial applications.
