Tips For Maintaining The Purity Of Water In The Lab | SMACgig WORLD

There is no doubt that water is one of the important components of many lab applications. Without the implementation of pure water, only a few experiments can be executed. Researchers and scientists use pure water from a laboratory water purifier in all sequences of events of experiments. These events range from diluting sensitive samples to preparing media. Further,  lab water is useful in cleaning and rinsing lab apparatus. For all this, the right purity of water is required. Laboratory water purity levels should be maintained in the lab while doing any type of lab work.  This is done to get good results out of the experiments. Further, data obtained through the right purity of lab water is reliable and good for the experimental results.

The Need Of Pure Water In Lab

Pure water is the mandatory element of any lab. It is because it contains low levels of impurities. Normally, tap water or normal water contains many kinds of impurities, like organic solutes, inorganic ions, nucleases, bacterial cells, colloids, suspended gases, etc.  These impurities interfere with the experimental setup and thus, alters the results. So, to avoid such alterations in the results, normal tap water is not used. Instead, pure water (type I, type II, type III, type IV) is used for various lab applications.

Some of the common lab applications are as follows:

• HPLC
• Gas Chromatography
• Liquid Chromatography
• Preparation Of Media
• Preparation Of Buffers
• Spectrometry

Depending on the sensitiveness of applications, the type of pure water is used. The type of lab water is determined by the researcher itself which can be obtained from a water purification system for laboratory.  Many laboratory purifiers are out in the market, but you have to select the most reliable one. You can also check any water purification system for laboratory prices on the internet before purchasing one. 

As the right purity of pure water is very necessary for lab applications, it should be maintained with utmost priority.  To maintain it, you may find some tips regarding the maintenance of water purity in the lab.

Tips For Maintaining Water Purity In A Lab

The laboratory water purity levels are defined by many organizations to date. But the most trustworthy is the ASTM standards, which have defined all four types of pure water. It is mandatory to look to the right purity of pure water through the standards to get the right pure water. This step is crucial to the setting up of a lab water purification system.  And maintenance of the right purity of water is also included in it.  The proper maintenance of the water and water system helps in getting enough pure water for the lab applications.

Following are some of the easy tips for maintenance of pure water purity in a lab:

1.  Monitor The Pure Water Quality

A water purification system for laboratory use has a monitor in the front to display the level of quality. This display contains the TOC levels, resistivity, and other values necessary to the water quality. As a researcher, you have to monitor the quality levels. For example, the resistivity for the ultrapure water is 18.2 M-ohm-cm, a slight change in this can deteriorate the water quality. The same is for the TOC levels.  Here resistivity is called the measure of ionic character of water which should be maintained as per the pure water standards.

You can monitor such parameters to obtain pure water from a lab water system.  Many lab purifiers have the monitor for monitoring. However, some purifiers lack it. Approach the one with the monitor to maintain the purity of water.

2.  Clean Up The Water System Before The Collection Of Pure water

It is seen that the high purity of water can readily absorb the chemicals and other matters from their surroundings. So, it is always advised to clean up or flush the collecting area before pure water collection. If a water purification system for laboratory is kept idle overnight, it may be possible that many volatile substances contaminate it. And on that contaminated surface, if you collect fresh pure water, then it becomes impure and not ideal for experiments. Therefore, the cleaning of the collecting area or flushing of that area is a good practice to maintain the purity of water.

3.  Alter The Water Purification System’s Cartridges Or Filters Regularly

Cartridges or filters of a laboratory water purifier play a big role in filtering the normal water. There is a limit to using the cartridges of the water system. Some researchers use the filters beyond the manufacturer’s recommendations, which is not a good practice at all. In this case, the water purification technologies like the ion-exchange method, produce water fill-up of many impurities. And this may affect the experimental results. To avoid this, the alteration of cartridges is recommended for maintaining the purity of water. 

4.  Don’t Use Plastic Tubing At The Outlet Of The Water System

Plastic tubing at the outlet area is not at all recommended. As plastic is not good for the right purity of water. In the case of ultrapure water,   plastic leaches into it that would degrade the water quality. Further, the water drops in the tube may contribute to the development of bacteria, algae, and other contaminants.  To avoid the use of plastic,  you can use glassware instead.  A lab water purification system has a point of delivery devices to prevent the usage of plastics.  Thus, it eliminates the need for additional tubing apparatus.

5.  Avoid Storage Of Ultrapure Water

Ultrapure water is called the highest purity of water. When the ultrapure water is stored, it quickly absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, which leads to the formation of carbonic acid.  In addition to these,  many bacteria and algae also develop into ultrapure water making it contaminated. It's recommended to not store the ultrapure water as it is not good for the quality of water.  Further, bacteria and algae produce endotoxins that degrade the water’s quality.  Storage containers can also serve as the breeding ground for many bacteria which should be avoided. It is best to draw freshly produced water from a lab water system and use it in lab applications.

6.  Don’t Generate Any Types Of Bubbles In Dispensing Water

It is likely to produce bubbles while dispensing pure water into the containers. The generation of bubbles should be avoided in the analysis of trace elements. Here the bubbles increase the surface contact between the air and the pure water which is not good for the quality of pure water. It increases the risk of developing many air-borne contaminants in the water. These contaminants can be ammonia, chlorides, volatile organics, etc. To avoid the generation of bubbles, tilt the container a little so that the stream of pure water slides along the wall container.

7.  Ensure Proper Cleaning Of Containers

The containers used for the collection of pure water from the laboratory water purifier should be cleaned properly. The cleaning procedures depend upon the type of analyses being performed in the lab. It is important to rinse the apparatus properly for the collection of pure water.  For trace element analyses, the containers should be cleaned with detergents. Also, the caps of the containers should be cleaned to ensure the maintenance of purity of water obtained through the water purification system for laboratories.

Conclusion

As without the right purity of pure water,   no significant experiment can be executed. The maintenance of the right purity of pure water is very necessary.  The above-mentioned tips help maintain the purity of water in the lab using the lab water system.  In a lab, you can easily use the above tips and maintain the needed purity of pure water from a laboratory water purification.