Aqua Dest und Aqua Bidest – destilliertes Wasser

Natural water, such as spring or tap water, always contains various ions, trace elements, and impurities. Distilled water, on the other hand, is considered highly purified water as it is free from these additives. It is used in medicine, pharmacy, chemistry, and biology as a solvent and cleaning agent, enabling the extraction and processing of intermediate products. The production process of distilled water takes place in a closed system where water is heated until it evaporates. The steam is then passed through a countercurrent condenser, such as a Liebig condenser, where it is cooled and condensed. The resulting condensate, also called distillate, is collected in a separate container. However, the production process is energy-intensive and therefore expensive, which is why demineralized water is often preferred for everyday applications such as in batteries or irons, as it is more environmentally friendly and cost-effective to produce. In water-scarce, warm regions, distilled water is also obtained from seawater by evaporating it in glass-covered facilities using solar energy and condensing it on sloped glass roofs, where the stored heat enables production even at night.

History of Distillation

Distillation has a long history dating back to ancient times. In ancient Egypt and Greece, distillation was used to produce essential oils and perfumes. The earliest known distillation methods were further developed by Arab alchemists in the 8th century, who used them to produce alcohol and medicinal substances. In the Middle Ages, distillation became popular in Europe, particularly for the production of spirits and medicines. Today, distillation is a fundamental process in chemistry, medicine, and industry. Modern distillation technology has evolved significantly over the centuries. While simple devices like alembics were used in the past, today’s complex distillation systems allow precise control over temperature and pressure. This has revolutionized the production of highly pure distilled water for medical and scientific purposes.

Distilled vs. Twice Distilled Water

Distilled water is obtained through a single distillation process, removing impurities such as salts, minerals, and organic substances. It is commonly used in households, laboratories, and industry. Twice distilled water, on the other hand, undergoes a second distillation process to achieve even higher purity. This water is particularly important in medicine, pharmacy, and highly sensitive scientific applications where even the smallest impurities can be problematic. The main difference between distilled and twice distilled water lies in purity. While distilled water is already very pure, twice distilled water contains almost no impurities. This makes it ideal for applications such as the production of injection solutions or the cleaning of laboratory equipment.

Distilled vs. Demineralized Water – Key Differences

Aspect	Distilled Water	Demineralized Water
Purity	Higher purity level	Lower purity level
Purpose	Removal of all organic substances (including germs and industrial pollutants)	Removal of dissolved salts in spring and tap water
Process	Mechanical or physico-chemical distillation process	Desalination (e.g., ion exchange)
Production	Energy-intensive and costly	Comparatively simpler production

Scientific Applications

Distilled water plays a central role in science. It is used in laboratories to prepare solutions, calibrate equipment, and clean glassware. Being free of impurities, it ensures reliable and reproducible results in experiments. In medicine, distilled water is used to prepare infusion solutions and sterilize instruments. In biology and chemistry, distilled water is indispensable as it contains no ions or organic compounds that could distort experimental results. It is also used in the electronics industry to clean sensitive components, as it leaves no mineral residues.

Applications and Production of Distilled Water

Distilled water plays an important role both in households and in specialized industrial and scientific fields. In everyday use, it is primarily used in devices such as steam irons because it contains no minerals that could cause limescale deposits. This purity also makes it ideal for cleaning sensitive surfaces like glass or specialized tools where residues are undesirable. Industry requires distilled water primarily as a cleaning and solvent agent. Aqua Bidest – twice distilled water – is mainly used in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. For example, it is needed for the production of colloidal silver. In chemistry, almost exclusively Aqua Dest or Aqua Bidest is used, as regular water is too calcareous and could distort measurement results. The Aqua Bidest from Medicalcorner24® has an ideal conductivity of < 0.2 µS. In pharmacy, medical technology, and laboratories, distilled water is indispensable. It is used to produce medications, for medical tests, and in biochemical experiments where any contamination could distort results. Due to its high purity, distilled water is also excellent for microbiological cultures and analytical procedures that require a contamination-free environment. Of course, you can also buy distilled water here and learn more about twice distilled water in the Medicalcorner24® online shop.

Production of Distilled Water

The production of distilled water is carried out through the distillation process, which is one of the oldest and most effective methods of water purification. 1. This process begins with heating water until it turns into steam. 2. The steam is then diverted and condensed on a cool surface, turning it back into water. 3. The collected water is usually free of dissolved solids and other impurities. 4. However, small amounts of volatile organic compounds may remain in the water during the distillation process, which in some applications necessitates multi-stage distillation to ensure the highest possible purity. Despite its many advantages, water distillation also has disadvantages, particularly its high energy consumption. This makes the process not only costly but also raises ecological concerns, as the intensive energy input and associated CO₂ emissions are critically viewed in times of climate change. These factors lead to a continuous search for more efficient and environmentally friendly water purification methods.

Effects of Distilled Water on the Body

Our bodies are primarily composed of water and require essential amino acids, minerals, and trace elements to maintain their functions, most of which we obtain through our diet. It is often recommended to drink plenty of water or nutrient-rich fluids to stay hydrated, mineralized, and performant. But what happens if you drink only water that contains no minerals or trace elements? It is often claimed that consuming distilled or demineralized water can be dangerous. This complex issue requires differentiation. Drinking distilled water usually poses no acute health risks when consumed in normal amounts. However, excessive consumption combined with a one-sided diet can lead to water intoxication, similar to regular water. It becomes particularly dangerous if such water enters the bloodstream directly, for example through an infusion, as this can cause cell damage due to osmosis. Nevertheless, tap or mineral water is generally healthier as it contains salts essential for the body.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Distilled Water