10 facts about laboratory water systems
Almost all experiments require laboratory water - from buffers and cell culture media to dilution series and blanks. Every laboratory needs a trustworthy supply of water due to its widespread use, but where do you begin? Below, we have selected the 10 most important factors to consider when choosing a water purification system for your laboratory.
1. Laboratory water basics
Planning to buy a laboratory water system, but don't know where to start? Before you begin your search for a laboratory water purification system, it's important to master some basics. What are the common impurities in water? How do impurities affect my experiments? What are the different technologies for water purification in the laboratory? For what applications do I use laboratory water? What type of water do I need in the laboratory?
These are just some of the questions, which are a good starting point for choosing a laboratory water system. If you are new to this field or want to learn more about lab water, our Lab Water Academy is a great resource for this topic. Theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of how to most effectively purify water and operate laboratory water purification systems will give you a better understanding of the characteristics of the three standard levels of laboratory water:
- Type 1: Ultra-pure laboratory water
- Type 2: Pure laboratory water
- Type 3: Pure laboratory water or water purified by reverse osmosis
2. Which purity grade of laboratory water do I need?
The purity of the water you need depends on your purpose. For example, the water used for washing glassware does not have to be as pure as the water used for the HPLC analytical technique. Generally, for very critical or sensitive applications, you need Type 1 water, while Type 2 water will suffice for less critical or sensitive applications.
3. Daily use of laboratory water
Your water system should supply the amount of water your lab needs each day. A larger quantity than planned is also not out of the question, in case there are unexpected overruns. However, we do not recommend purchasing a significantly oversized system.
4. Feed water
What will be the water source for your water treatment system? If your "feed water" is tap water, then you must use a pretreatment system or a combined water system to get the desired lab water purity. If you already have a reliable type 2 or type 3 water source, then you can use a type 1 ultrapure water device. Knowing your feed water will help you choose the right system.
5. Where can I store laboratory water?
Pre-water treatment processes, such as those using reverse osmosis, can be very time-consuming. Tank systems solve this by storing purified water. While traditional storage tanks require routine cleaning to prevent contamination, options like the Arium® Bagtank with disposable bags simplify this step.
6. Is the system easy to use?
The design and user experience of your water treatment system is certainly essential for everyday use. Large, clear touch-sensitive screens, shortcuts to common functions and options for controlled pouring in a certain volume or time period, significantly simplify the dosing of water and the use of the system.
7. How much space does the system take up in the laboratory?
Flexible installation options will help you to use the laboratory space efficiently. Choose systems that offer a compact design with table, wall or under/in-desk mounting options.
8. Connectivity options
Tracking and documenting data is important in regulated laboratory environments. If you need access to information about your lab water, make sure it's easy to retrieve data from your system using a connected printer or SD card and look for real-time monitoring.
9. Maintenance of the laboratory water system
Laboratory water purification systems require regular cleaning and maintenance in order to be reliable for daily operation. If you want to leave these tasks to our authorized service center, you will free up your time and extend the life of your instrument.
10. Laboratory water system price
The price of a laboratory device for water purification depends on the features of the system and application. In addition to the cost of the instrument itself, you should consider the cost of accessories, preprocessing requirements, and consumables such as replacement cartridges. Service contracts are also an option, but depend on your requirements. However, we recommend professional device maintenance, which is always a worthwhile investment.