Purite has supplied the Open University department of biological sciences in Milton Keynes, UK, with a new water purification system designed to improve the quality of laboratory water
The Purite Prestige Descale reverse osmosis unit, associated ring main, and the Neptune polisher system provides a cost-effective alternative to traditional time-consuming laboratory distillation methods by supplying a consistent flow of high quality water to various outlets within the facilities.
In particular, the system allows end users to increase productivity and operate more efficiently while reducing maintenance costs.
The department of biological sciences at the Open University provides both teaching and research laboratory facilities for its staff, who have over 10,000 distance learning students.
New R+D laboratories specialising in ageing and neurodegenerative disease have recently been constructed within the department, thus facilitating molecular experimental procedures where exceptionally high levels of accuracy, reliability and water quality are required.
Given the nature of the critical laboratory work, the need for an upgrade in the quality of pure water was essential.
The product provided by Purite incorporates the latest water purification technology, comprising several interlinked components, which satisfied the various water quality requirements within the laboratories.
The core of the system is the Purite Prestige Descale unit, which acts as a centralised system for the distribution of water to thirteen different locations within the facility.
Two of these outlets feed a second unit, called the Neptune, which upgrades the ring main water further to provide ultra-pure water (UPW) for analytical and life science applications.
"We were already using existing stand alone units but believed that a new centralised system would improve the quality of experimental work, productivity and lessen downtime, and after acquiring Purite technology we were delighted to discover that they provided an integral centralised system" explained Chris Lancashire, biological sciences liaison.
The new Purite Prestige Descale water purification and Neptune systems were installed in March 2006, and since then "the in-house centralised system has made remarkable improvements to our water quality and productivity.
"Both systems are extremely reliable and efficient in supplying a constant supply of pure water for laboratory use", Lancashire added.
The Purite Prestige Descale reverse osmosis water purification unit is a compact, easy-to-install system.
It includes an integrated pre-filtration stage, which removes particulates and colloidal contaminants down to 5um from mains water.
Following the pre-filtration stage, the pre-filtered mains water is pressurised by an integral boost pump and fed to the reverse osmosis module, within the Prestige Descale unit, where up to 98% of dissolved minerals and up to 99% of organic, bacterial and particulate contaminants are removed from the potable mains water.
Any impurities are flushed away via the drain by an automatic membrane concentrate flush, which helps to extend membrane life, thereby reducing replacement costs.
After reverse osmosis, the permeate is then fed through to an external storage tank before being pumped through a cylinder deioniser, removing 99% of any remaining ionic impurities.
UV disinfection and a 0.2um filter are then used to enhance the purity.
The purified water is then distributed to various outlets within the facilities via a ring main.
The Prestige Descale unit purifies up to 2000 litres of mains water per day, which enables greater productivity and a more consistent pure water supply, helping to reduce contamination and ensuring that results are reliable and consistent.
The Neptune further polishes the ring main water to provide ultra-pure water (UPW), 18.2Mohm.cm, for analytical and life science experiments, and is typically used in molecular biology, IVF, genome research, and critical cell culture.
The bench-mountable Neptune monitors system parameters including water quality, temperature, pressure, and flow, incorporating automated sanitising routines as well as alarms for UV and filter cartridge changeouts.
The unit offers easy, cost-effective maintenance and operational reliability.
Chris Lancashire commented: "the Purite systems have offered us a more flexible approach to purifying our water supply.
"Due to the multi-component aspect of the system, we can choose to alter the level of water quality to suit various applications, for example tap water for glass washing, or very pure water for intricate molecular and biochemical experiments.
"The centralised system has been crucial to our new ageing and neurodegenerative laboratory facilities providing pure water on tap, and enabling our scientists to operate more efficiently and productively."
