The Distillation
Advantage
How Does Distillation
Compare with Carbon Filtration and Reverse Osmosis?
Carbon
Filtration:
Best
application is for the reduction of organic contaminants such as
chlorine, trichloroethylene and organic pesticides. Carbon filters
should only be used on water supplies that are potable and free of
microbial organisms. Some carbon filters can reduce concentrations of
lead and nitrates, however, performance is limited and over time, some
filters will eventually discharge previously removed contaminants back
into the "treated water". Carbon filters will not kill bacteria, cysts
or viruses. Treatment performance declines over time and taste is
generally the only monitor that consumers can rely on to know when to
change their filters.
Reverse Osmosis:
A
micro filtration system that uses a semi permeable membrane to strain
out a large percentage of suspended and dissolved substances from
water. The average R.O. membrane is capable of removing particles down
to a size of less than one micron. This means that R.O. can remove even
trace concentrations of potentially harmful contaminants such as lead,
nitrate, arsenic, etc. Reverse osmosis systems that claim
performance reductions for organic contaminants such as chlorine,
trichloroethylene, etc. use carbon filters as well in order to reduce
these sorts of compounds.
Most R.O. systems require installation, attaching to the household
water supply usually under the kitchen sink. R.O. systems also require
a drain line because the system must constantly flush the surface area
of the membrane to remove accumulating solids. Without flushing, the
membrane will foul in less than a day, rendering the system
ineffective. On average, a modern R.O. system will flush 3 to 5 gallons
of water down the drain for every gallon of water produced.
Most R.O. systems are approved for use with portable water only. Even
though the membrane pore size is small enough to trap bacteria and
organisms such as crytosporidium, there is a considerable risk that
such organisms can eventually make their way through the system and end
up in the treated water.
According to the American Water Quality Association, an average Reverse
Osmosis system can be counted on to remove about 85% of the dissolved
and suspended matter from tap water. However, as the membrane and
filters become used, their efficiencies decline. Most systems require
filter changes semi annually and membrane changes annually. It is a
fair statement that if an R.O. system is allowed to go for more than
two years without replacement of the filters or membrane, it becomes
virtually ineffective. Performance specifications for most R.O. systems
are based upon test results obtained under controlled conditions, with
water temperatures above 70 degrees F. and at pressures above 60 PSI.
In real world situations, where ground water temperatures drop to 50
degrees in winter and line pressure is under 40 PSI, the actual
production capability of a 12 gallon per day system may actually fall
to less than 3 gallons per day with high TDS water.
Distillation:
Whereas
carbon filtration and reverse osmosis are both mechanical treatment
processes, distillation is actually a physical process. Water reacts
the same way at its boiling point every time. When water boils, steam
is produced. It is the steam that we collect and cool to make distilled
water.
This is the big advantage of distillation. If the distiller can heat
water until it boils, the result will be pure, safe, clean drinking
water every time. The boiling process also acts as a sterilization step
that effectively kills water borne bacteria, cysts and viruses.
Distillation is also unsurpassed in the elimination of dissolved
substances such as lead, nitrate, arsenic, as well as any other
contaminants that has a specific boiling point higher than 212 degrees
F. It really is that simple and it is a part of the distillation
performance guarantee. If the distiller is working and water is
boiling, the treated water will always be safe, pure and clean. "If
it's working, it's working!"
For the removal of contaminants that have a specific boiling point less
than 212 degrees F., components such as chlorine etc., we use activated
carbon filtration along with distillation.
Distillation combined with activated carbon provides the most effective
treatment potential for residential drinking water purification. And
because distillation is a physical process, there is not the same sort
of performance depreciation over time as there is with reverse osmosis
and carbon filters. There is no wasting of water as there is with
reverse osmosis and there is no need for a drain line. This is a big
advantage if the unit is to be installed in an apartment.
For cottage owners and people with questionable well water supplies,
distillation can always be counted on to produce safe, microbe free
water.
"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers are instructed to drink distilled
water"
How To Stay Out of the Doctor's Office, 1994, Dr. Edward M. Wagner
"Distilled water is the purest form available. Distilled water helps to
excrete excessive metals from the body."
Who Killed Candida, 1991 Vicki Glassburn
"Distilled water is the closest to pure water. So if you want the
safest water you can get, the choice would be distilled."
Your Health, July 12, 1994, Dr.Lamb
Copyright 2013
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