The terms "vapor distilled water" and "distilled water" are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion. While both processes aim to purify water by removing impurities, there are subtle differences that might affect the final product's quality and suitability for specific applications. Let's delve deeper into the intricacies of each method and clarify whether they are truly equivalent.
What is Distilled Water?
Distilled water undergoes a process where it's boiled, and the resulting steam is collected and condensed back into liquid form. This process leaves behind impurities like minerals, salts, and other dissolved solids, resulting in very pure water. The purity level varies depending on the distillation equipment and the number of times the process is repeated (multiple distillation). Standard distillation methods are generally effective in removing many contaminants, but not all.
What is Vapor Distilled Water?
The term "vapor distilled water" is less standardized and might refer to several processes. It often indicates a more sophisticated or multi-stage distillation process, sometimes involving multiple vaporization and condensation cycles to achieve a higher level of purity. This could include techniques like fractional distillation or vacuum distillation, pushing the purity beyond what a single-pass standard distillation might achieve. In essence, it's likely a more refined form of distilled water.
Are Vapor Distilled Water and Distilled Water the Same?
The answer is nuanced. While the core principle – boiling water to separate it from impurities – is the same, the quality and resulting purity level can differ. Standard distilled water will remove most contaminants but might leave traces behind. Vapor distilled water, implying a more advanced method, generally boasts higher purity, removing even more trace impurities.
Think of it like this: all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares. All vapor distilled water is distilled water (it's undergone distillation), but not all distilled water is vapor distilled water (it might not have undergone the advanced purification steps implied by the term "vapor distilled").
What are the Differences in Purity Levels?
The key difference lies in the level of purity. Standard distillation is sufficient for many applications, such as in car batteries or irons. However, for applications requiring exceptionally high purity, like in laboratories or pharmaceutical settings, vapor distillation or other advanced techniques are preferred to eliminate even trace amounts of contaminants. These trace contaminants could be volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, or other substances imperceptible in standard distillation.
What are the Uses of Each Type of Water?
Standard Distilled Water: Suitable for many everyday uses, including:
- Ironing
- Car batteries
- Aquariums (with added minerals)
- Some industrial processes
Vapor Distilled Water (or highly purified distilled water): Essential for applications needing extremely pure water:
- Laboratory experiments
- Pharmaceutical preparations
- Medical equipment sterilization
- Specific industrial processes
What is the Cost Difference?
Generally, vapor distilled water, due to its higher purity and more complex production, is more expensive than standard distilled water.
In Conclusion
While "vapor distilled water" might sometimes be used interchangeably with "distilled water," it often suggests a higher degree of purification. Whether the difference is significant depends entirely on the intended use. For most home uses, standard distilled water is perfectly adequate. However, applications demanding exceptional purity necessitate the higher-grade water obtained through more advanced distillation processes, frequently described as vapor distillation or similar terms implying multiple distillation stages. Always check the specifications of the water to ensure it meets your needs.
