Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1999 06:18:52 -0500 (EST) From: "Carl Strohmenger (HSC)" <cstrohme@com1.med.usf.edu> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg4269$foo@default> Subject: Re: water
On Tue, 28 Dec 1999, John Green wrote:
> I recently made a post that mentioned boiling water. I was told by my
> local water dept that the water can be boiled in a covered pot, which
> should allow most of the disolved solids to accumulate at the bottom of
> the pot. You could then siphon the water off the top, and it should be
> much lower in disolved solids. I guess if you use a clear pot you
> should be able to see the solids at the bottom. I have not tried this.
> Theoretically, I guess it should work. I'd recommend checking with your
> local water dept to see what the recent tds readings are. If your water
> is under 100 tds it's probably okay as it is, although boiling it
> couldn't hurt.
>
Actually, the boiling method removes *suspended* solids, not dissolved
minerals. In general, boiling will increase the amount of dissolved
material since most salts are *more* soluble in hot water than in cold
water - so boiling the water brings the solution closer to saturation after
subsequent cooling.
The suspended solids can be removed by pouring off the cooled water after
boiling, and of course, any dissolved gasses (eg chlorine) tend to be
driven out of the solution during boiling, too.
To get rid of dissolved salts, you need to go the RO route or the
distillation route.
- Carl
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