With R&D expanding in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and academic arenas, there is growing demand for compact water purification systems to meet the specific requirements of small and medium-sized labs. As well as having a smaller footprint, these compact water purification solutions are designed with efficiency in mind, in terms of both energy consumption and ease of maintenance. In fact, even larger labs are now considering compact systems as an alternative to full-scale systems, because they are more cost-effective, whilst still meeting the most stringent of water purity standards.
When it comes to determining if a compact water purification system is suitable for your laboratory, a few key factors should be considered in order to evaluate their performance when choosing one. With the help of these factors, you will be able to select a system that meets your lab’s specific needs, without compromising on efficiency in any way. These factors include both practical and technical aspects.
1. Available space
It’s important to consider both the size and installation flexibility of a compact water purification system. Dimensions of the system should match your lab’s space to make sure it fits seamlessly into your setup, without hindering workflow. In addition to saving space, compact systems provide versatility in terms of installation options, including benchtop and wall-mounted options. By maximising limited space while maintaining functionality and ease of use, you can optimise your lab’s layout.
2. Your lab’s daily water consumption
To determine which compact water purification system would be the best for your laboratory, you need to know how much water you consume and how much capacity the purification system has. Make sure the system’s capacity aligns with your current usage to avoid temporary supply interruptions in the future.
3. Purification technology & water purity levels
To assess a compact purification system’s water purity level, you need to determine what type of purification technology it utilises, such as reverse osmosis, deionisation, ultra-violet disinfection or ultrafiltration. Various technologies offer different levels of filtration and contamination removal, so it’s important to match the system’s capabilities with your laboratory’s specific needs.
Furthermore, consistency and reliability are also critical; the system needs to deliver pure water consistently, especially for sensitive applications. In order to maintain the integrity of your experiments, make sure the technology and performance align with your needs.
4. Total cost of ownership
To determine if compact water purification systems are worth the investment, compare the upfront investment with alternatives, such as full-scale systems. Examine ongoing operating costs like energy consumption, maintenance, and consumables, as compact systems typically incur lower costs in these areas due to their smaller size and greater efficiency. By calculating long-term savings on space, energy, and maintenance, you can minimise your total cost of ownership.
5. Ease of use
Consider the ease of use, monitoring, and troubleshooting of the compact water purification system when evaluating the user experience. A system that offers a user-friendly interface and intuitive controls will dramatically reduce the likelihood of error and will improve lab efficiency.
6. Maintenance & support
A compact water purification system’s ease of maintenance should be assessed based on the frequency and complexity of routine maintenance tasks. A compact system should be easy to maintain, with easily accessible components and readily available parts and consumables.
Lastly, check the manufacturer’s service and warranty options, as reliable customer service and comprehensive coverage are essential to minimise downtime. To maintain the system’s performance and longevity, a robust support system is essential.
7. Compliance & Standards
For laboratory-grade water quality, it’s important to verify compliance with all industry standards and regulations. Choose the system that provides the desired water purity and performance in compliance with these standards. Additionally, ensure that the system complies with all the required certifications and documentation, which facilitates regulatory compliance.
The proper documentation not only validates the system’s quality, but also supports audits and quality control processes.
A compact laboratory water purification system offers a compelling combination of space efficiency, cost savings, and reliable performance all in one. Many laboratories, especially those with a limited amount of space and moderate levels of water demand, will find that these compact systems provide an efficient and cost-effective way to meet their lab-grade water needs. Considering the above factors will help you choose the right compact water purification system for your lab.
Purite’s compact laboratory water purification systems
Purite offers laboratories a choice of compact water purification solutions, depending on the demands that will be placed on the system. Based on the key factors to consider, the entire benchtop range has been designed for use in compact footprint applications, making them ideal for smaller laboratories. Daily water production varies depending on the unit and water purification requirement; Purite Prestige can deliver up to 6000 litres of reverse osmosis (RO) water per day, the Purite Fusion produces Type 2 and Type 1 purified water at dispense rate of up to 2 litres/min for all your general lab uses and critical assays, and the Purite Purewater 300 Package provides >1 MegOhm.cm rinse water to glass washers and other general lab systems that require Type 2 water.
Depending on the unit chosen, Purite’s compact range offers ultrapure, RO, Deionised (DI) and general use water, which all comply with relevant industry regulations and standards. Also, the units are highly cost-effective and most, such as Purite Fusion, feature ECO versions that use significantly less water, enabling additional environmental and cost savings to be made.
Designed to be easy to install, maintain and service, the Purite compact range is ideal for laboratories that want an uninterrupted, reliable purified water supply but need a smaller footprint purification unit.
Contact us to discover how we can help you meet the water purification needs of your laboratory with our benchtop water purification systems.