Understanding the Terminology That Often Used in Water Ionizer Industry

The following is a list of some of the most frequently used terms and phrases, and their definitions that usually used in Water Ionizer Industry. The definitions listed below have been simplified in order to be easily understood and are only intended to provide general knowledge and basic understanding.

1. Continuous Ionized Electrolysis Water Generator

This is the official name of the ionized water devices manufactured and sold by Kangen Water Enagic. While this is the official name of the product, it is often referred to as a “water machine” or simply as a “machine.” For the sake of basic, day-to-day conversation, using the word “machine” is probably the most simple and effective way to refer to the product.

2. Kangen Water

The term “Kangen” is Japanese, roughly translated to mean “return to origin.” This term was specifically selected to represent the essence of the ionized alkaline water produced by Kangen Water machines.

3. pH

This is an acronym which stands for Power / Potential of Hydrogen, which is represented by a logarithmic scale, ranging from 0 – 14. In our industry, when we refer to “pH,” it is typically regarding a beverage, like water or soda, and will have a reading of acidic, neutral or alkaline. The pH scale measurement is based on the amount of hydrogen ion (H+) activity in the liquid. A beverage is acidic, which is below 7 on the pH scale, when it has more free hydrogen activity, and alkaline, which is above 7 on the pH scale, when there is less free hydrogen activity. The letters of its name are derived from the absolute value of the power / potential (p) of the hydrogen ion concentration (H).

4. Alkaline

On the pH scale, any measurement above neutral ( 7.0 pH) is considered alkaline.

5. Acidic

On the pH scale, any measurement below neutral (7.0 pH) is considered acidic.

6. ORP

This is an acronym for Oxidation Reduction Potential, which is a measurement that determines if a beverage offers antioxidants, having a negative reading, such as -300; or if a beverage is an oxidant, which will have a positive reading, such as 300. This measurement is typically taken with an ORP Meter, which has been designed and calibrated to measure the ORP of liquids.

7. Plates

This refers to the metal plates that are found in the electrolysis chamber in a water ionizer. The plates are what conduct the electricity, with either a positive or negative charge, during the electrolysis process. The plates are one of the most important components of a machine, as they greatly influence the strength and longevity of the properties of ionized alkaline water. The size and amount of power surging through the plates are what create the properties, so larger plates with greater power are preferred.

8. Electrolysis / Ionization

This is the process by which water is passed over negatively and positively charged plates and is physically split into two separate streams. The negatively charged water is alkaline and the positively charged water is acidic.

9. Electrolysis Chamber

This is essentially the “engine” of a machine. It is where the source water comes in contact with the positively and negatively charged plates and is split into two separate streams of water. The actual size of the plates and the amount of electricity surging through them greatly influence the size and construction of the electrolysis chamber. Obviously, a more solid construction and larger size is needed for a water ionizer with bigger plates and more power. The K8 has one of the largest and most powerful electrolysis chambers of any water ionizer on the market. In fact, even the electrolysis chamber of the LeveLuk R, which is a basic starter unit with the smallest plate size and lowest power output of all the Kangen Water ionizers, is larger and better constructed than most of the electrolysis chambers of other brands.

10. Free Radical

These are unstable, chemically incomplete substances that "steal" electrons from other molecules. They are highly reactive, potentially causing damage in the body to things such as cells and natural enzymes, making them less effective. Free radicals occur naturally as by-products of the body's use of oxygen and creation of energy. Once in the body, free radicals can damage tissues and delicate cell membranes. They may even accelerate the aging process.

Our bodies have a natural defense system to deal with free radicals, however, studies are finding that modern lifestyle is creating an overwhelming abundance of free radicals and that the natural defense system may not be adequately protecting us. For this reason many people need to ingest foods and beverages containing antioxidants, which donate electrons to the free radicals, quelling their hyper-reactivity and rendering them harmless. 

11. Antioxidant

These are substances or nutrients in foods and beverages, having a negative oxidation reduction potential, which can prevent or slow oxidative damage to the body. Oxidation, which is a regular function of metabolism and cell function, strips an electron from certain molecules. These molecules, called free radicals, must then steal an electron from a nearby molecule to repair themselves; which means that the nearby molecule must now steal an electron from another molecule and so on and so on. This vicious oxidation cycle ends when an electron is taken from a molecule which has an excess electron available to donate. Antioxidants act as "free radical scavengers" by donating the excess electron to the free radical, which quells their hyper-reactivity and renders them harmless. Many of the serious health problems facing American's today are attributed to oxidative damage. Antioxidants may also act as powerful immune defense enhancers, which may reduce the risk of disease. Ionized alkaline water is a very effective natural antioxidant because of its very high negative oxidation reduction potential.

12. Hydrogen

In alkaline ionized water, hydroxide ions (OH-) and positive ions, such as calcium ions, become more numerous as a result of the electrolysis process. It also contains a concentration of hydrogen. Recently, the actions of this hydrogen have been gaining attention and fundamental investigations into its effects on living bodies are currently underway. In recent research reports, strongly-electrolyzed water was found to contain hydrogen, and there is also a paper which announced that elimination of activated oxygen by this hydrogen had been confirmed. This is still in the research stage and clear conclusions regarding the hydrogen structure and how it acts on the activated oxygen in living bodies, etc. have not yet been concluded. In addition, the suitable hydrogen concentration value has not been clarified or standardized.

13. Flow Rate

This term describes the amount of water that flows through an ionizer. The flow rate is an important consideration if a consumer is comparing different brands of ionizers. The SD501 has a flow rate of 7 liters per minute, while the majority of other ionizer brands are between 1.5 liters and 3 liters per minute. The reason for this sizable difference is the size and power of the plates. The SD501 has 7 large plates, with 230 watts of power, which will sufficiently ionize water, even at a high flow rate. Many other ionizers have a regulator / flow control built into their machines, which restricts the amount of water flow in order for their smaller and less powerful plates to ionize the water. The result is often ionized alkaline water with very unstable properties with a very short lifespan. Some of the other ionizers actually promote this as a positive feature, and even a selling point. However, in reality, this is simply a necessary component for these lower quality machines to produce ionized alkaline water at all. 

14. Source Water

In our company the term "source water" refers to the water that is feeding the machine. It is the water that flows from the faucet being used. The term is often used to explain to consumers that every location has a different quality of source water and that there are many factors that determine this quality.

15. PPM

This is a general water industry term that you will probably never be faced with or have to use, however you may run into someone in the water industry who may try to "test" your knowledge by asking the PPM of certain chemicals / minerals in Kangen Water. "PPM" is an acronym that stands for Parts Per One Million. This water industry term is used to describe the ratios which show a concentration of one substance compared to another, usually by weight. When this measurement is associated with liquid, PPM would more accurately be designated as milligrams per liter. For example, if a water sample is tested and determined to have 10 PPM of something, this solution has 10 milligrams of that substance per liter of water. If a water test shows 50 PPM of something else, it would more accurately be expressed as 50 milligrams of that substance per liter of water, and so on. It usually helps to think about PPM in everyday measurements. For example: a part per million is like one inch in 16 miles or one drop of water in 35 gallons. The easiest response is that Kangen Water originates as tap water before filtration or ionization, so the PPM is no higher than allowable by municipal water rules and regulations.

16. TDS

TDS is an acronym that stands for Total Dissolved Solids. This water industry term is used to describe solids in water that can pass through a filter and as the measurement of the amount of those solids that have been dissolved in water. These solids can include carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, organic ions, and other ions. Certain levels of these ions in water are necessary for good health, which is why some are referred to as "essential minerals". However, TDS concentrations which are too high or too low, can lead to health issues. Again, the easiest response is that Kangen Water originates as tap water before filtration or ionization, so the TDS is no higher than allowable by municipal water rules and regulations.

17. pH Drops

Known as phenolsulfonphthalein or phenol red, this pH reactant test liquid is most commonly referred to as "pH Drops". This is an ethanol solution which reacts with liquids based on the pH level of the liquid. When added to clear liquids the solution reacts by changing the color of the liquid to the appropriate color represented on the pH color chart.

These are probably the most widely used terms and phrases which represent the foundation of knowledge of water basics.