Some applications need water that is almost completely free of dissolved salts. High-pressure boilers, laboratories, electroplating rinses, battery manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and electronics all depend on demineralised (DM) water. Intellect Aqua designs and builds DM plants and mixed bed polishers in Coimbatore that produce consistent, high-purity water with reliable regeneration and long resin life.
What Is a DM Plant?
A demineralisation plant removes dissolved ions from water using ion-exchange resins. Water first passes through a cation resin that replaces positive ions — calcium, magnesium, sodium — with hydrogen ions. It then passes through an anion resin that replaces negative ions — chloride, sulphate, bicarbonate and silica — with hydroxide ions. The hydrogen and hydroxide ions combine to form water, leaving very low conductivity output.
When the resins are exhausted, they are regenerated using acid for the cation bed and caustic for the anion bed.
Types of DM Plants We Build
Two-Bed DM Plant
Separate cation and anion vessels in series. Suitable for many boiler and process applications.
Two-Bed with Degasser
A degasser tower between cation and anion removes carbon dioxide, reducing load on the anion resin and saving caustic. Useful when raw water is high in bicarbonate.
Mixed Bed Polisher
Cation and anion resins mixed in one vessel give very high purity water. Often used after a two-bed DM or RO for the most demanding applications.
RO + DM / RO + Mixed Bed
An industrial RO removes most of the salts first, so the DM or mixed bed only polishes. This cuts acid and caustic consumption dramatically and is often the most economical option when raw water TDS is high.
Applications
- Boiler feed water: Medium and high-pressure boilers need low silica and conductivity to avoid scale and turbine deposits.
- Electroplating and surface finishing: DM rinse water prevents spotting and improves finish quality.
- Battery manufacturing: Pure water for electrolyte preparation.
- Pharmaceuticals and labs: Purified water for formulation, testing and cleaning.
- Automotive and engineering: Paint shops, washing and coolant make-up.
- Textile and chemical units: Specialised processes needing low-ion water.
Choosing Between DM, RO and RO+DM
| Raw water TDS | Required purity | Suggested system |
|---|---|---|
| Low | Moderate | Two-bed DM |
| Low–medium | High | Two-bed DM + mixed bed |
| High | Moderate | RO |
| High | High | RO + mixed bed |
We confirm the right choice after testing your water and understanding your purity target, because the wrong choice can mean high chemical bills for years.
Our Design Focus
- Correct resin volumes for your daily output and regeneration frequency
- Rubber-lined MS or FRP vessels with corrosion-resistant internals
- Safe acid and alkali storage, dosing and handling
- Conductivity and silica monitoring with alarms
- Automatic or semi-automatic regeneration sequences
- Neutralisation pit for regeneration effluent
Signs Your DM Plant Needs Attention
DM plants usually decline slowly. Watch for:
- Output conductivity rising before the expected end of the run
- Shorter runs between regenerations
- Silica slipping into boiler feed water
- Higher acid and caustic consumption per cubic metre of output
- Resin beads found in outlet strainers
- Leaking valves or corroded vessel linings
These signs usually point to fouled or worn resin, wrong regeneration doses, channelling inside the vessel or instrument errors. We test the resin, check regeneration practice and inspect the vessels, then recommend cleaning, partial resin replacement or a process change. In many cases, adding an RO before the DM plant cuts chemical use so much that it pays back quickly.
Safety in DM Plant Operation
DM plants handle concentrated acid and caustic. We design safe chemical storage with bunds, use corrosion-resistant dosing equipment and provide eyewash and safety signage. Operators are trained on safe chemical handling and emergency steps as part of commissioning.
Regeneration Effluent
DM regeneration produces acidic and alkaline wastewater. We design a neutralisation pit so the effluent is brought to safe pH before it joins your ETP or approved disposal route.
Maintenance and AMC
DM plant performance depends on correct regeneration, resin health and instrument accuracy. Our AMC service covers regeneration checks, resin analysis and replacement, conductivity meter calibration, valve servicing and chemical supply.
Areas We Serve
We supply DM plants to industries across Coimbatore — SIDCO Kurichi, Ganapathy, Chinniampalayam, Malumichampatti, Kaniyur, Arasur, Sulur, Neelambur, Madukkarai and Pollachi.
We also serve Chennai and build water treatment plants in Hosur, Ranipet, and Trichy.
Request a DM Plant Proposal
Share your raw water analysis, required output and purity. We will recommend the most economical DM, RO or RO+DM configuration.