Pure Water: Why is it so important?
As one of the most commonly used reagents pure (Type 2) water holds a significant role in laboratories everywhere.
Researchers, scientists and engineers working in environments that range from pharmaceutical, biotech, research, and chemical labs to university, hospital or clinical facilities — as well as food and beverage labs — all depend on pure water to support their work. Pure water is used in nearly all laboratory applications, including preparation of microbiological media, buffers and pH solutions. It is also used as a source of feed water to ultrapure water purification systems, clinical analyzers, weatherometers, washing machines and stainless steel autoclaves.
In spite of the importance of pure water, many existing water purification systems still involve high costs and extensive maintenance due to inefficient or outdated technology. Furthermore, most water purification systems on the market are unable to guarantee production of consistently pure water. When choosing a pure water system for a laboratory, users need to keep these facts in mind, and carefully research their purchase. By determining selection criteria parameters (instant and daily pure water volume needs; water quality monitoring requirements; any industry certification requirements), and by discussing specific application needs with industry water purification experts, users can help ensure identification of the right water purification system for their environment.
What is the most efficient way to produce pure water?
Although various technologies exist for the production of Type 2 water, the most efficient way to produce pure water is to begin with reverse osmosis (RO) and follow with either deionization (RO-DI) or electrodeionization (RO-Elix EDI technology). Today, Millipore has combined these technologies in a comprehensive range of systems, which include the latest Elix Advantage models.
Elix Advantage systems use Elix technology to produce constant-quality pure water easily and efficiently. In a first step, tap water is treated by a Progard cartridge, and then purified by reverse osmosis to produce RO Type 3 water, which enters the Elix module. In the Elix module, ion exchange resins are continuously regenerated via an electrical current. This process requires only very small amounts of water and energy. No special maintenance or chemical regeneration that would deteriorate the resin beads is needed. This unique process has become the new standard for the production of Type 2 water, and is replacing both distillation and conventional deionization units in the laboratory. In general, water that has been purified using Elix technology is suitable for use with analyses at the parts per million (ppm) or high parts per billion (ppb) levels. It may also be used for several other purposes in a laboratory:
- As feed to Millipore Type I ultrapure water systems (Milli-Q range, Simplicity, Synergy, and ICW-3000 systems)
- Buffer and media preparation, in particular for microbiology or titration unless trace levels are targeted); pH or general analytical chemistry; non-sensitive sample preparation requiring extensive washing
- Chemical reactions run in water
- Stability testing chambers and autoclave feeding
- Histology
- Glassware washing: manual rinsing or Elix water fed directly to the glassware washer
- With additional ion exchange polishing, Elix water can be used in clinical chemistry and as feed for weatherometers.
