| Abstract: |
This month’s ULTRAPURE WATER journal is dedicated to deionization. In some industries, such as the semiconductor industry, deionization is frequently abbreviated as DI. Operators responsible for the production of high-purity water may be called RODI technicians, which stands for reverse osmosis/deionization technicians.
In some industries, such as the power generation industry, DM, which stands for demineralization, is more commonly heard. Those responsible for the production of high-purity boiler feedwater may be called DM operators.
The two terms, or abbreviations DI or DM, are basically synonymous. In this article the term deionization (DI) will be used. This article provides a brief overview of DI water treatment.
Deionization, or de-ionization, means the removal of ions. Ions are atoms or molecules that have a net positive, or negative charge. Positively charged ions are called cations because they will migrate in solution to a negative electrode (cathode). Negatively charged ions are called anions because they will migrate in solution to a positive electrode (anode). |