What is Distillation?

The distillation process is a human-controlled version of the hydrological cycle. Distillation uses the process of evaporation, cooling and condensation to “drive out” water molecules from other unwanted substances or contaminants. Also, because distillation boils the water, all bacteria and viruses are killed. Everything else is left behind in a boiling tank to be thrown down the drain.

The first residential water distiller was designed primarily to remove dissolved solids and inorganic salts. As more “sophisticated” chemicals were created by human kind, the need evolved for further advancements in distillation equipment.

Many distillers today utilize a volatile gas vent, which consists of a pinhole in the top of the condensing coils to vent off any unwanted gases. If any gases happen to escape this vent, then a carbon post-filter will trap them. These charcoal filters provide double assurance that these gases will not end up in the distilled water storage tank. These filters do not breed bacteria, as only pure water passes through them.

What are the advantages of distillation?

Most distillers do not require the constant monitoring that other treatment methods do. Since the distillation process is so simple, there is little that can go wrong. Customers who understand the process, are able to trust it and have peace of mind in the system’s operation.

Some systems have a proven rejection rate of greater than 99% of all contaminants. There is no other process as efficient or as reliable. Water distillation will remove chlorine, nitrates, fluorides, ammonia, aluminum, arsenic, copper, iron, mercury, radium, asbestos, viruses, bacteria, herbicides and pesticides - to name a few.

Quality distillation systems are constructed of high-grade stainless steel. Built to last a lifetime, a distiller should consistently deliver the same quality of pure drinking water over the years, with few or no service problems. Maintenance of a distiller consists of draining out the residue left over from the boiling process and changing of the charcoal filter every 3 months. If a heavy scale build-up accumulates in the boiling tank, a cleaning agent to soften and loosen up the scale is required.

Some distillers offer low-maintenance, self-flushing options reducing maintenance requirement.

Distillation offers many benefits over other treatment methods:

There are basically two types of water distillers available today for residential use. Water-cooled models require from 5 to 15 gallons of tap water to make 1 gallon of distilled water. Although slightly quieter to run, they require a drain close by for the hot water. Air-cooled versions are more popular because they do not waste water.

Distillers may be countertop/portable manual units, semi-automatic or fully automatic. Popular locations for the units are basements or laundry rooms. Most distillers may be hooked-up to a pressurized system, allowing pure water to run to separate faucets in the home. Lines may be run to the furnace humidifier, saving frequent cleaning due to mineral buildup. Refrigerator icemakers, dispensing systems and water coolers may also be hooked into the distilled water lines.

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We are a dealer for Precision Water Systems. Most of the information found on this page came from their website. Click on their name to learn more about distillers and distilled water.