Can a water dispenser purify water?
Water dispensers have become an indispensable household appliance in modern life, especially in homes, offices and public places, and can be found almost everywhere. However, with the popularity of water dispensers, discussions about their functions have also emerged in an endless stream, especially the question of "whether water dispensers can purify water", which has aroused widespread concern.
This article will conduct an in-depth analysis of this issue, reveal the true role of water dispensers, and clarify some common misunderstandings.
What are the basic functions of a water dispenser?
The main function of a water dispenser is to heat or cool drinking water so that people can get hot and cold water at any time. Such equipment is usually equipped with hot and cold water outlets, which is convenient for users to choose according to their needs. The original intention of the design of a water dispenser is not to purify water sources, but to provide a convenient temperature adjustment function for already treated water.
Heating function
The heating device in the water dispenser can quickly heat water to a temperature close to the boiling point, generally between 90°C and 100°C. This function is particularly useful in winter or when hot drinks such as tea and coffee are needed. By heating the water, some germs and microorganisms may be killed, but this does not equate to comprehensive water purification.
Refrigeration function
The refrigeration function of a water dispenser relies on a built-in refrigeration compressor or semiconductor refrigeration chip to reduce the water temperature to between 10°C and 15°C. This function is mainly used in summer to provide users with cool drinking water. However, the refrigeration function is also unrelated to water purification. It only reduces the water temperature by physical means and does not change the chemical or biological composition of the water.
Does a water dispenser have a purification function?
There are many misunderstandings about whether a water dispenser can purify water. Some consumers believe that a water dispenser can purify water through the heating or cooling process, and some even believe that a water dispenser has a built-in water purification function. However, this is not the case.
Ordinary water dispensers
Ordinary water dispensers do not have a purification function. They rely on external bottled water or tap water, and these water sources must have been treated accordingly before entering the water dispenser. Neither heating nor cooling, these physical processes can remove impurities, harmful chemicals or microorganisms from the water. Therefore, the function of ordinary water dispensers is limited to temperature regulation, and does not include water purification.
● Impurity removal: Ordinary water dispensers cannot remove suspended particles, sediments or other solid impurities in water. These impurities need to be effectively removed by special filtering equipment, such as activated carbon filters or microfiltration membranes.
● Chemical pollutant removal: Heavy metals, pesticide residues and other chemical pollutants in water cannot be eliminated by heating or cooling. Only through professional water purification technologies such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange or chemical adsorption can these harmful substances be effectively removed.
● Microbial removal: Although high-temperature heating can kill some bacteria and viruses, it is not enough to ensure the complete safety of water quality. Some microorganisms may have high heat resistance, while refrigeration cannot kill microorganisms at all. Therefore, water dispensers cannot be regarded as an effective means of microbial purification.
Water dispensers with water purification function
In recent years, some water dispensers with water purification functions have appeared on the market. These devices combine the functions of water purifiers and water dispensers in design, and can perform preliminary purification of water before heating or cooling.
● Filtration system: Water dispensers with water purification function are usually equipped with multi-stage filtration systems, including pre-filtration, activated carbon filtration, ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis. The pre-filter can remove large particles of impurities, the activated carbon filter can absorb odors and organic matter, and the ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis membrane can further remove tiny particles, bacteria and some chemical pollutants.
● Ultraviolet sterilization: Some high-end water dispensers are also equipped with ultraviolet sterilization devices, which can further kill bacteria and viruses in the water and improve the safety of water quality.
However, even so, the water purification effect of such water dispensers depends on the quality and replacement frequency of the filter element. If the filter element is not replaced for a long time, the water purification effect will be greatly reduced, and it may even cause secondary pollution to the water quality. Therefore, although water dispensers with water purification function can purify water sources to a certain extent, users still need to pay attention to their maintenance and use.
What is the difference between a water dispenser and a professional water purifier?
Water purifiers are specially designed to purify water quality and are usually equipped with complex multi-stage filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, etc., which can effectively remove various impurities, microorganisms and chemical pollutants in water. In contrast, although water dispensers with water purification function also have certain purification capabilities, they often cannot achieve the purification effect of dedicated water purifiers.
● Reverse osmosis water purifier: This type of water purifier uses a reverse osmosis membrane, which can effectively remove heavy metals, bacteria, viruses and other tiny particles in the water, and provide high-purity drinking water. The purification effect of a reverse osmosis water purifier is significantly better than any water dispenser with water purification function.
● Ultrafiltration water purifier: Ultrafiltration water purifiers use ultrafiltration membranes to mainly remove suspended matter, bacteria and some organic matter in the water, and are suitable for areas with relatively good water quality. And this type of filtration effect is also difficult to achieve on ordinary water dispensers.
The main purpose of a water dispenser is to provide hot and cold water, which is suitable for scenes such as homes and offices to meet people's daily drinking water needs. Water dispensers with water purification function can also play a certain purification role in some special scenes, but they mainly rely on the quality of external water sources.
Water purifiers are more used in places with poor water quality or high water quality requirements, such as home kitchens, hospitals, laboratories, etc. This type of equipment can be used in conjunction with a water dispenser to fully purify the water source before providing the required temperature through the water dispenser.
How to choose a suitable drinking water device?
Choosing a suitable drinking water device depends on the actual needs of the user and the water quality. If the water quality in the area is poor, it is recommended to use a special water purifier to treat the water source. Reverse osmosis water purifiers or ultrafiltration water purifiers can effectively remove most harmful substances and ensure the safety of drinking water. If the water quality is good and has been treated, you can choose an ordinary water dispenser or a water dispenser with a water purification function.
In places where there is a high demand for daily drinking water, such as homes or offices, ordinary water dispensers or water dispensers with water purification functions are good choices, which can provide convenient hot and cold water services. In places with higher requirements for water quality, such as hospitals, laboratories or families with young children, high-efficiency water purifiers should be installed as a priority.
Secondly, water dispensers with water purification functions usually require regular replacement of filter cartridges, and the maintenance cost is high. In contrast, the maintenance of ordinary water dispensers is relatively simple, mainly cleaning the water tank and regular descaling. If you choose a water dispenser with a water purification function, you must ensure that the filter element is replaced regularly to ensure the purification effect.