Is there an easy way of checking the purity of water?
I use a Vaquapura deioniser water purifier which has a meter to check the purity of the water. However, I am getting such weird readings with a new cartridge I am wondering if I have damaged the nickel electrodes while cleaning the unit.
I remember someone saying something about testing with silver nitrate, am I correct???
Robbie
Test for purity of water
Testing for Water Purity
Hi Robbie,
The best way to determine water quality is to use conductivity measurements using probes or analysers. Conductivity is a much greater sensitive determination and is a direct and accurate measurement.
Most chemical tests are quantitative and give readings for the presence of ions eg Chloride, Bromide, Iodide. For example: **Silver Nitrate**. If there is a little or a lot, the Silver Nitrate will still cause a precipitation.
I hope this has helped.
Robb.....
The best way to determine water quality is to use conductivity measurements using probes or analysers. Conductivity is a much greater sensitive determination and is a direct and accurate measurement.
Most chemical tests are quantitative and give readings for the presence of ions eg Chloride, Bromide, Iodide. For example: **Silver Nitrate**. If there is a little or a lot, the Silver Nitrate will still cause a precipitation.
I hope this has helped.
Robb.....
Dr Robert Crosdale. MRACI. NSS. NSSA. NASA.
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
Test for purity of water
Robb,
Thanks very much. I thought that was the case but I was not sure.
Robbie
Thanks very much. I thought that was the case but I was not sure.
Robbie
-
PhysicsOne
- Posts: 25
- Joined: 18 Jul 2006, 10:00
- State/Location: NSW
I also had the same problem too. It seems to be that the first few batches of water with a new cartridge are no good. It may be due to that the beads in the cartridge need to be wet for some time before they fully activate. What I found was after a few batches the water quality improved. I got it down to near 2 on the scale.
There also may be some left over water from when you cleaned it. It doesn't take much tap water to bring up the conductivity.
Check that no tap water is leaking past the seal of the cartridge. I have used a rubber seal from a toilet(new of course).
So keep trying until the conductivity drops. it should with a new cartridge.
Conductivity is a good test for water purity. I have found the meter on the Vaquapura to be very helpful. I don't think cleaning the electrodes would affect the reading. The microns of nickel you removed in cleaning would not signifigantly affect the distiance between them.
Remember the meter is battery powered. Have you checked they are okay? The original Vaquapure used to run on a mercury battery with 11V. You probably have yours modified to use AA batteries.If you need more information on the batteries let me know.
Goran
There also may be some left over water from when you cleaned it. It doesn't take much tap water to bring up the conductivity.
Check that no tap water is leaking past the seal of the cartridge. I have used a rubber seal from a toilet(new of course).
So keep trying until the conductivity drops. it should with a new cartridge.
Conductivity is a good test for water purity. I have found the meter on the Vaquapura to be very helpful. I don't think cleaning the electrodes would affect the reading. The microns of nickel you removed in cleaning would not signifigantly affect the distiance between them.
Remember the meter is battery powered. Have you checked they are okay? The original Vaquapure used to run on a mercury battery with 11V. You probably have yours modified to use AA batteries.If you need more information on the batteries let me know.
Goran
Test for purity of water
Thanks Goran,
I will check that it seals properly. The cartridge stays in place for some time and then I will notice that it has moved and is not sitting straight.
Unlike yours, our Vaquapura does not use batteries, it is mains powered. We have a second unit which is battery operated but it needs repair - when I have time...
Regards,
Robbie
I will check that it seals properly. The cartridge stays in place for some time and then I will notice that it has moved and is not sitting straight.
Unlike yours, our Vaquapura does not use batteries, it is mains powered. We have a second unit which is battery operated but it needs repair - when I have time...
Regards,
Robbie
Conductivity of Water
Hi Robbie,
As I guide the Conductivity of the water you have should be within the range of 0.5 µS/cm to 3 µS/cm, with a resistance of around 2 MΩ-cm.
Normal Tap Water is around 0.5-1 mS/cm with a resistance of around 1-2 kΩ-cm.
This should be a useful guide for all out there who wish to test the conductivity of their water.
Hope this offers a handy guide.
Robb.....
As I guide the Conductivity of the water you have should be within the range of 0.5 µS/cm to 3 µS/cm, with a resistance of around 2 MΩ-cm.
Normal Tap Water is around 0.5-1 mS/cm with a resistance of around 1-2 kΩ-cm.
This should be a useful guide for all out there who wish to test the conductivity of their water.
Hope this offers a handy guide.
Robb.....
Dr Robert Crosdale. MRACI. NSS. NSSA. NASA.
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
Conductivity of Water Types
Hi Colleagues,
Just for everyone’s information. I have listed below several water types their Conductivity ranges and their Resistivity.
Pure water, 0.05 μS/cm, 18 MΩ-cm
Power plant boiler water, 0.05-1 μS/cm, 1-18 MΩ-cm
Distilled water, 0.5 μS/cm, 2 MΩ-cm
Deionised water, 0.1-10 μS/cm, 0.1-10 MΩ-cm
Demineralised water, 1-80 μS/cm, 0.01-1 MΩ-cm
Mountain water, 10 μS/cm, 0.1 MΩ-cm
Drinking water, 0.5-1 mS/cm, 1-2 kΩ-cm
Wastewater, 0.9-9 mS/cm, 0.1-1 kΩ-cm
KCl solution (0.01 M), 1.4 mS/cm, 0.7 kΩ-cm
Potable water maximum, 1.5 mS/cm, 0.7 kΩ-cm
Brackish water, 1-80 mS/cm, 0.01-1 kΩ-cm
Industrial process water, 7-140 mS/cm, rarely stated
Ocean water, 53 mS/cm, rarely stated
10% NaOH, 355 mS/cm, rarely stated
10% H[sub]2[/sub]SO[sub]4[/sub], 432 mS/cm, rarely stated
31% HNO[sub]3[/sub], 865 mS/cm, rarely stated
This will be quite beneficial when it comes to measuring the Water from Distillation or Cartridge filters to determine whether they need cleaning or replacing..
This list should be beneficial, make sure you keep it in a safe place..
Hope you find this informative.
Robb......
Just for everyone’s information. I have listed below several water types their Conductivity ranges and their Resistivity.
Pure water, 0.05 μS/cm, 18 MΩ-cm
Power plant boiler water, 0.05-1 μS/cm, 1-18 MΩ-cm
Distilled water, 0.5 μS/cm, 2 MΩ-cm
Deionised water, 0.1-10 μS/cm, 0.1-10 MΩ-cm
Demineralised water, 1-80 μS/cm, 0.01-1 MΩ-cm
Mountain water, 10 μS/cm, 0.1 MΩ-cm
Drinking water, 0.5-1 mS/cm, 1-2 kΩ-cm
Wastewater, 0.9-9 mS/cm, 0.1-1 kΩ-cm
KCl solution (0.01 M), 1.4 mS/cm, 0.7 kΩ-cm
Potable water maximum, 1.5 mS/cm, 0.7 kΩ-cm
Brackish water, 1-80 mS/cm, 0.01-1 kΩ-cm
Industrial process water, 7-140 mS/cm, rarely stated
Ocean water, 53 mS/cm, rarely stated
10% NaOH, 355 mS/cm, rarely stated
10% H[sub]2[/sub]SO[sub]4[/sub], 432 mS/cm, rarely stated
31% HNO[sub]3[/sub], 865 mS/cm, rarely stated
This will be quite beneficial when it comes to measuring the Water from Distillation or Cartridge filters to determine whether they need cleaning or replacing..
This list should be beneficial, make sure you keep it in a safe place..
Hope you find this informative.
Robb......
Dr Robert Crosdale. MRACI. NSS. NSSA. NASA.
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
Ph.D (Chem), Post Grad Ph.D (Physics), M.Ed, B.Sc (Hons), Dip. Appl. Sc. (Chem)
Lake Munmorah High School.
University of New England.
University of New South Wales.
University of Newcastle.
To understand the Universe from our perspective, we need to look towards our own backyard first for answers.
** AD ASTRA PER ASPERA - SEMPER EXPLORO **
