The equipment for water purification that will be used in the laboratory, vary according to the degree of purity of the water they produce; likewise, the components of each system, differ between them. The selection of equipment or system will depend on the requirements in terms of water quality and quantity.
On the other hand, the type of study or analysis that is carried out in the laboratory determines the type of water or purity level demanded. These levels are known as pure water type I, type II and type III, and their characteristics are defined by international standards.
Knowing this classification is useful, because it allows us to specify the type of water purification system we require, as well as the components that integrate them. The purity levels of water to be achieved for the performance of different laboratory analyzes are mentioned in general below.
Classification of pure water for laboratory activities
Type I water is required in sensitive laboratory applications and analyzes, such as high performance liquid chromatography, flow cytometry, cell cultures, reagent development, and solutions for molecular biology applications. Type II water is used in more general applications, such as preparing tampons and microbiological culture media, for feeding other laboratory systems, such as those producing type I water, clinical analyzers, cell culture incubators, and climate chambers.
Type III water is used in glassware rinsing, heating baths and autoclaves. In some cases, it is used as a feed for water production systems type I.
According to the water requirements, a system with the appropriate technology to produce pure, ultra pure, or both, and that can meet the needs of the laboratory will be selected. There are different technologies for water purification, such as reverse osmosis, ion exchange, electric ion exchange, ultraviolet and ultra radiation or micro filtration. Purification systems can use two of these technologies or a combination of several, because a single technology is not able to remove all contaminants.
How is the water purification system constituted?
As mentioned in the previous sections, some components may vary, depending on the type of water the system produces and others are common, such as the pump, valves, piping system, cartridges or pre-treatment filters and the dispenser or point of use. The purification systems, which produce water types I, II and II, may be constituted in a general manner.
- Type III water production system: includes common elements, uses activated carbon pretreatment cartridges and reverse osmosis technology.
- Type II water production system: has the common elements, and can use a combination of reverse osmosis, ion exchange or electric ion exchange (EDI) and ultraviolet light (185 nm) technologies, although the latter may be absent.
- Type I water production system: includes common elements, although these equipment can be arranged to be fed by a reverse osmosis system. They use a combination of reverse osmosis, ion exchange or electric ion exchange (EDI), dual wavelength ultraviolet light (185 nm and 254 nm) and ultra or micro filtration technologies.
Kalstein Water Purification System
At Kalstein we have a wide variety of water purification systems available, from the YR series. You will find different models that adapt to the different needs of each laboratory or analysis. Kalstein equipment, offer resistivity monitoring with high precision, allow measurement of the ionic concentration and monitoring of the TOC value, to prevent organic contamination. In addition, they are easy to operate, with a friendly graphical interface. They also enable quick cartridge replacement and a convenient supply of pure and ultra pure water. For more information on Kalstein water purification systems, please visit the
We are manufacturers, so in Kalstein you can make the purchase of water purification systems, at advantageous prices. For more detailed information, visit HERE