Which leads me to a couple more clarifications, if someone can tell me... The TDS I have only has a range of 0-999, not 2000-- would that have any bearing? (Does it make any difference in its sensitivity, or in using it, or only that it is limited to measurements below 999ppm?)<<<<
Also, how is the measurement represented?
Comparing apples to apples [conductivity measurement] The TDS cuts the conductivity reading in half to give PPM, so, that 999 PPM is 1998 microsiemens of conductivity [essentially 2000 uS]
The PWT tops out at 999.9 uS with a decimal
I recently recieved a sample of home distilled water that was in a sealed bag. It had what was probably mineral scale in it.
Upon unpacking, it read 4 uS with the PWT. [Not great but usable]3] Don't fill the chamber up by more than about 2/3rds to limit boilover.
Within an hour it read over 20 uS.
Apparently, the mineral scale was being prevented from re-dissolving by the pressure of the packaging.
I don't have a distiller. Home distillers can be quite 'iffy'
Commercial distillers probably use low temperature in a reduced pressure system...some degree of sublimation as in freeze drying commonly used in condensing foods where water vaporizes at room temperature or below in a semi vacuum.
Some logical hints, not based on experience, for home distillers.
1] use charcoal pre filter or run the water through a charcoal filter before loading the distiller to reduce minerals and volatile content.
2] discard charcoal post filter. Many home distillers have one to add flavor.
4] If the distiller has a 'slow' setting, use it.
5] Discard the first cup that comes out to remove any volatiles that the charcoal filter might have missed. Volatiles will distill with the water..usually before the water.
Keep everything very very clean. Flush with phosphoric acid or vinegar now and then to remove scale and rinse really well.
Ode
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I redistilled the second batch of DW, which read 011 on the TDS by that time (up from 006-- no idea why, was it still in the collection jar, so was not from handling). It registers a 009 now, with not much, if any, additional residue in the boiler, though logically it would probably be too small an amount to tell.<<<<
George suggested removing the charcoal filter, so I've done that, and am running a new batch with fresh water to see if that brings the reading down.
Will post the results when it finishes the cycle.
Thanks again... this really is *the* list for CS-- I have learned so much here from lurking and reading (believe it or not, in light of my current dilemma <g>) . I heard about this list on another CS list several years ago, and had also heard that the brain trust here could be a little cranky with those lacking like expertise, but I've never found that to be true... and I've put it to the test on several occasions. <g> I just wish I had more to contribute, besides my gratitude.
CS came up recently on another, totally unrelated, list and someone offering 'expert advice' gave directions for holding silver wire between one's fingertips in tap water for a few seconds to make CS... I kid you not.
Reading that really made me appreciate ya'll all the more...
=================Leigh
-- "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us"... Ralph Waldo Emerson
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