Researchers have recently completed their move into the new £11 million purpose-built Northern Institute for Cancer Research Paul O'Gorman Building, in Newcastle upon Tyne
The centre was built by Sir Robert McAlpine in just under 18 months and will act as a powerhouse for research into more effective treatments into a disease which affects one in three people.
It draws together 125 researchers from different parts of Newcastle University under one roof, allowing them to share resources and to work more effectively.
The centre has three floors, providing 3300m2 with four major laboratories.
Scientists at Newcastle University have an international reputation for anticancer drug development and, by working with clinicians at Newcastle hospitals, help maintain an extensive clinical trials portfolio.
Their extensive research programme covers almost every type of cancer, including those of childhood.
The research involves cell culture, biochemical analysis and molecular biology, all of which need high purity water.
The supply of high purity water for the three floors of laboratories was the responsibility of mechanical and electrical contractor Haden Young, which awarded the critical water purification plant subcontract to Elga Process Water.
A central treatment facility distributes treated water to all three floors of the building via a 1100 metre ABS ringmain supplying to a total of 30 points of use.
Mains water is supplied to a break tank to ensure a physical barrier to the supply exists, thus addressing the requirements of Water Regulatory Authorities.
It is then pumped first through a multi-media deep bed filter to remove suspended solids and then a combined water softener and organic scavenger.
The softened water is then passed into a Purelab Prima reverse osmosis (RO) unit. The RO treated water is collected in a 1500 litre storage tank fitted with a 0.2um vent filter to prevent contamination by airborne bacteria.
Final deionisation is achieved by Service Exchange mixed bed cylinders followed by 0.2um membrane filtration and disinfection by an ultraviolet lamp.
The treated water, which has a conductivity of less than 0.2uS/cm, organic content less than 0.1mg/l TOC, is then delivered to the ring main with unused water returning to the purified water storage tank. Continually recirculating the treated water through the polishing units ensures that treated water chemical and microbiological quality is maintained.
Michael Tilby is pleased with the new system.
"We had used Elga purification systems in the past. "Our experience was good, so we were happy to have the equipment again".
The Northern Institute for Cancer Research Paul O'Gorman Building takes its name from a 14 year-old boy who lost his life to leukaemia.
The building has been funded by the UK government (£4 million), Cancer Research UK (£3.5 million), Children with Leukaemia (£2 million) and Newcastle University (£1.5 million).
Funding for equipment is being provided by Cancer Research UK (£500,000), the Leukaemia Research Fund (£300,000), the North of England Children's Cancer Research Fund (£300,000) and the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Charity and Newcastle Healthcare Charity (£150,000).