The main difference between reverse osmosis and distilled water is that reverse osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane under pressure to purify water, whereas distilled water is produced by heating water to create vapor, which is then condensed back into liquid form through cooling.
Reverse osmosis water and distilled water are two popular methods of obtaining purified water. In fact, they are helpful for various purposes, from ensuring safe drinking water to specific applications in industries and laboratories.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Reverse Osmosis Water
– Definition, Features
2. What is Distilled Water
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Reverse Osmosis and Distilled Water
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Reverse Osmosis and Distilled Water
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Reverse Osmosis, Distilled Water, RO System
What is Reverse Osmosis Water
Reverse osmosis water is obtained by the process called reverse osmosis, a water treatment process that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities and contaminants from water. The word “osmosis” itself refers to the natural process by which water molecules move from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration through a semi-permeable membrane. In reverse osmosis, this natural flow is reversed.
The semi-permeable membrane used in reverse osmosis (RO) systems contains tiny pores that allow water molecules to pass through while blocking larger molecules, ions, and impurities. When water is pushed through the membrane under pressure, it effectively filters out the impurities, leaving behind clean, purified water on the other side.
Many households use RO systems to purify tap water, removing contaminants such as chlorine, heavy metals, and minerals to provide clean and safe drinking water. Furthermore, RO is a crucial technology in desalination plants, where it helps to remove salt and other impurities from seawater, making it suitable for drinking and irrigation in arid regions.
RO helps to produce high-quality water for food and beverage production, ensuring the safety and purity of products. Moreover, the pharmaceutical industry relies on RO to produce ultra-pure water for drug manufacturing and quality control. In addition, RO is useful in various industrial applications, including electronics manufacturing, power plants, metal finishing, etc., which require high-purity water for specific processes.
What is Distilled Water
Distilled water is water that has undergone the process of distillation, which is a method of purification that separates water from impurities and contaminants. In fact, this process relies on the differences in boiling points between water and other substances in the water.
Distilled water is a fundamental requirement in laboratories for various experiments, chemical analysis, and the preparation of reagents. Its purity ensures accurate and reproducible results. Moreover, distilled water is often recommended for use in steam irons and humidifiers to prevent mineral buildup and extend the life of these appliances.
In the medical field, distilled water helps in sterilization, as well as in the preparation of medical equipment, solutions, and medications. Moreover, distilled water is used in automotive batteries to prevent mineral deposits from forming on the battery plates, which can reduce performance and lifespan. Some cosmetic and personal care products use distilled water as a base to ensure purity and prevent unwanted reactions with minerals or impurities.
Similarities Between Reverse Osmosis and Distilled Water
- Reverse osmosis and distilled water are pure water.
- Both RO water and distilled water typically lack essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- Both types of water tend to have a neutral pH, close to 7. This is because they lack the ions that typically contribute to the acidity or alkalinity of water.
Difference Between Reverse Osmosis and Distilled Water
Definition
Reverse osmosis water is purified water obtained by passing it through a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities, minerals, and contaminants, resulting in a highly purified liquid. On the other hand, distilled water is purified water produced through the process of distillation, involving heating water to create steam, which is then condensed back into liquid form, effectively removing most impurities and minerals.
Filtration
RO is a filtration process that uses a semi-permeable membrane to separate water molecules from impurities, minerals, and contaminants. It works by applying pressure to force water through the membrane, leaving behind impurities. However, this process does not involve boiling. Distilled water is created by boiling water to produce steam and then condensing the steam back into water. This process separates the water from impurities, minerals, and contaminants through vaporization and condensation.
Presence of Minerals
RO water often contains some minerals, but the mineral content may vary depending on the source water and the RO system. Distilled water, on the other hand, is virtually mineral-free, as the distillation process separates all minerals from the water.
Energy Consumption
Moreover, RO systems require energy to operate the pumps that create the necessary pressure for filtration. Distillation is an energy-intensive process because it involves boiling water to create steam. It generally consumes more energy than RO.
Conclusion
Reverse osmosis water is purified water obtained by passing it through a semi-permeable membrane to remove impurities, minerals, and contaminants, resulting in a highly purified liquid. On the other hand, distilled water is purified water produced through the process of distillation, involving heating water to create steam, which is then condensed back into liquid form, effectively removing most impurities and minerals. Therefore, the main difference between reverse osmosis and distilled water lies in their respective methods of purification.
Reference:
1. “Distilled Water Overview.” WebMD.
2. “Reverse osmosis.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Reverse osmosis water purification system at home” By Marco Verch Professional Photographer (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
2. “Distilled water 001” By By أمين – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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