Lab Water Purification Systems
No matter what type of work goes on within their walls, laboratories need to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and purity to guarantee the success of what they do. This means removing contaminants from the water that is used in their processes is of the utmost performance.
Safe as it may be for human consumption, the water that comes out of the tap still may not be pure enough for use in laboratory applications. It often contains a wide range of unwanted elements such as enzymes, bacteria and inorganic ions that can have a negative impact on test results as well as the overall quality of anything produced in the lab. H2I Group is a leading provider of laboratory equipment that includes laboratory water purification systems. With our expertise and strong relationships with leading manufacturers, we’re the subcontractor trusted throughout the industry for supplying the right purification technology to match the needs of the facility. We provide the knowledge and experience needed to match labs with the water purity solutions they need to make a difference and ensure their work is not compromised in any way.
How Contaminants Can Impact Lab Work
Keeping laboratory feed water as clean and pure as possible is critical no matter what type of work is being performed. For example, tap water often contains trace amounts of organic compounds such as oils and solvents. These can skew the results of experiments by promoting microbial growth. Certain types of charged inorganic ions present in water can disrupt chemical reactions and change the outcome of certain tests, and the presence of gases can create microscopic bubbles in the water that make accurate measurements difficult to attain.
Laboratory Water Purification Technologies and How They Work
At H2I Group, we have a lot of experience working with all the various technologies and methods used for purifying laboratory feed water. This means we can help labs and contractors choose the ideal system for the particular application and deploy it in the most effective and efficient manner. Some of the most common types of lab water purification systems include:
Distillation — Simple and straightforward, this method involves boiling water and then condensing it into a separate container with a cooling coil. Although it does remove many contaminants, it may not be suitable for applications that require ultrapure water.
Ion Exchange — These systems remove charged ions from water by filtering it through resin beads that exchange ions with it as it flows through them. Typically, this is used as a pretreatment step before the water goes through further purification because it does not impact the presence of organic materials or microbes.
Reverse Osmosis — This process forces water through a semi-permeable membrane that effectively separates water molecules from contaminants. The membranes allow only molecules of a certain size through, in this case only water molecules are small enough to be permitted through, and larger contaminants are separated from them.
Ultraviolet — Using shortwave ultraviolet radiation, this method destroys microorganisms and organic compounds that may be present in water. This technology is typically used in conjunction with other techniques as it does not affect inorganic ions, colloids or other particulates.
Understanding Laboratory Water Standards
ASTM International has established standards for water used in laboratory activities, categorizing it based on the level of purity:
- Type I — This is the purest type and is typically used in extremely sensitive analytical processes including atomic absorption, trace analysis and gas chromatography.
- Type II — Suitable for general laboratory use, including the preparation of microbiological media and other routine procedures.
- Type III — ATSM Type III water is intended for less-important tasks such as filling sterilization autoclaves and feeding into systems for Type I purification.
- Type IV — This classification covers water used for non-critical applications including washing glassware by hand.
Why Choose H2I Group?
With more than 100 years of experience, H2I Group sets the gold standard when it comes to specialty subcontractor work for laboratory design and construction. We work with leading architects and construction companies across the United States, leveraging our connections to help them find and choose the proper equipment and furniture to make laboratory facilities as effective and safe as they can be.
We have an extensive portfolio of successful projects that range from pharmaceutical production to higher education. Our comprehensive understanding of what laboratories need to be successful in their missions means we’re the best choice for selecting and installing water purification systems. If you’re ready to learn more about what makes us the leaders in water purification, reach out and speak with a member of our team today.