An ink removal device preferably includes a tube housing, a plurality of glass chunks and an injector tube. The injector tube is retained in the tube housing. A liquid inlet connector is secured to a first end of the tube housing for a supply of ink water. An air inlet connector is secured to a second end of the tube housing for a supply of pressurized air. The tube housing is filled with a plurality of large chunks of glass. Pressurized ink water is pumped into the tube housing passes through the injector tube and back through the plurality of glass chunks. The ink in the ink water adheres to the plurality of glass chunks to produce cleaned water. The pressurized air dries the ink adhering to the plurality of glass chunks. The cleaned water exits the outlet port to be used for printing operations.