Quote:
Originally Posted by bobarian
Evaporation is not the same as distillation. Seek out the sterile water as suggested previously.  |
Technically, this is true.
Evaporation happens at any temperature below boiling point under atmosphere pressure (every liquid exhibits vapor pressure on it's surface), and condensation of various types forms as the result of atmospheric humidity generated by evaporation. It is a
very efficient process since it relies on the core properties and ambient variables to generate results.
In case of distillation, heat is applied to "speed up" the process, whereby liquid is boiled to produce vapors (boiling happens when the vapor pressure equals to the pressure of the system) that are condensed and collected. It is a
very inefficient process because energy in the form of heat is consumed during the process.
The net result is actually the same process, the difference is the application of a heat source and controlled condensing of the vapors. Also, distillation is more useful to remove volatile toxins and living organisms, something evaporation is less effective at doing on a small scale.
Physics aside, since we were talking about water deemed fit for consumption, I wasn't worried about any sorts of volatile organic compounds or other potential contaminants, merely reducing the mineral and chlorination content of the water, which can be done by the evaporation process, rendering water fit for a humidor.