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LAB WATER
Purified water used in laboratory applications is commonly defined by water specifications from one of the following standards organizations:
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ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) D1193, ASTM D5196,
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ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 3696 and
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CLSI® (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (formerly NCCLS) C3-A4.
Standards
ASTM D1193-06, Reagent Grade Water Specifications has four reagent grades of water (see table below).
ASTM D1193-06 further classifies water quality as Type A, Type B, or Type C depending on the
applicable bacteriological and endotoxin quality.
ASTM D5196, Standard Guide for Bio-Applications Grade Water, contains another set of parameters for water quality.
ISO 3696 utilizes the term “Grade” and is limited to laboratory reagent water for analysis of inorganic chemicals.
Clinical Lab Standard Institute (formerly NCCLS), C3-A4 Reagent Laboratory Water no longer uses the Type I, II and III designations but instead designates water as CLRW (Clinical Lab Reagent Water), SRW (Special Reagent Water) and Instrument Feed Water. The water is intended to be ‘fit for purpose’ with only CLRW is defined in detail and the other grades are to be determined on an application basis.
What We Do
w3Synergy designs and fabricates the water treatment equipment required by research laboratories. Often for large-scale laboratory applications, purified water is produced in-house using a central treatment system to pretreat the feed water and point-of-use polishing systems to meet water specifications for the desired application. A properly designed storage and circulation loop is used for microbial control within the distribution system.
A lab water system engineered by w3Synergy can be defined as a treatment train comprised of an array of separation technologies. The process steps specifically used for lab water are categorized as follows:
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Media Filtration
Chlorine, chloramine, and bromine are disinfectants used in waters supplied by municipalities. Granulated activated carbon (GAC) media is typically used to remove these types of organics from the water. GAC is also an effective method of removing manmade chemicals such as per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS).
“Softener” media containing ion exchange (IX) resin is used for surface waters containing high levels of hardness (caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium ions). Selective IX resin is also available to remove PFAS.
Microfiltration
w3Synergy provides cartridge filtration with pore sizes ranging from 1 micron to 5 microns in the pretreatment stages and 0.2μm absolute at the final treatment stages.
Membrane Filtration
W3Synergy fabricates a broad range of membrane filtration equipment including ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis.
Ultrafiltration is used to remove suspended solids (TSS), colloidal material, and removal of bacterial endotoxins and nucleases.
Reverse osmosis is used to lower the level of total dissolved solids (TDS) in supply water due to the presence of ions, salts, and minerals found in the water. The TDS as measured in parts per million (PPM) will vary in the supply of water seasonally and geographically. Conductivity expressed as microsiemens per centimeter (uS/cm) is another method of monitoring the presence of these dissolved solids.
RO membranes can reject bacteria, pyrogens, and some organic solids as well.
Resistivity is the inverse of conductivity and is an indication of the purity of the water.
Double-pass RO, where the product (permeate) from the first pass of the RO is further purified using a second (pass) RO, is employed to increase the resistivity of the water.
Electro-Deionization
To achieve ultrapure water (i.e. resistivity of 18 MΩ-cm), the RO permeate is deionized using either ion exchange resin demineralization (DI) or Electrodeionization (EDI). EDI technology combines electro-dialysis and ion exchange technology to remove ions from the feed water. It is both effective and efficient because the EDI module is continuously recharged through the electric current from the unit.
In source waters containing elevated dissolved carbon dioxide, a membrane contactor degassifier may be used upstream to enhance the effectiveness of DI or EDI in the presence of dissolved carbon dioxide.
Disinfection
After the water has been filtered, disinfection is an additional method used to kill any remaining pathogens including parasites, bacteria, or viruses.
Ultraviolet light (UV) can eliminate trace organics at 185nm and inactivate microorganisms at 254nm. The oxidation of trace organics results in pure water with low TOC levels
Treated Water Storage and Distribution
w3Synergy fabricates custom-designed Storage & Distribution Systems specific to our clients needs and requirements. The components of these systems typically include Product Storage Tank, Distribution Pump and Disinfection Loop.
A UV sterilizer provides disinfection of pathogens and is sized based on the desired rate of circulation through the loop. A 0.2μm absolute filter is included in the loop.
The injection of ozone into the storage tank is sometimes specified to sanitize the recirculating loop. Residual ozone can subsequently be destroyed by the UV lamp prior to utilization of the purified water by the production facility.
Clean-In-Place
w3Synergy fabricates both pre-engineered and custom-designed CIP skids for periodic cleaning of RO membrane systems, process & storage tanks, piping, and/or fermentation reactors. The chemical tanks and pumps on the skid are sized consistent with the application.
Monitoring & Automation
w3Synergy UPW water treatment systems are fully automated with the option of either Allen Bradley, Siemens or Idec PLC. Automation allows for remote continuous online monitoring & control.
Available on-line instrumentation includes:
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UV intensity monitor
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TOC analyzer
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Bioburden
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Chlorine
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pH
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ORP
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Conductivity
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Resistivity
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Turbidity
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Pressure
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Flow
Contact Us
w3Synergy is ready to help you with your next water purification or water reuse project.
Contact our engineering team to learn more:
858.215.4122