What is the Water Purification System?

Water is one of the most important substances on Earth, covering 71% of the Earth's surface, while the human body can contain up to 75% of water. Water is essential for a wide range of applications, including agriculture, science, medicine, transportation, heating, recreation, and food processing, as well as cleaning, and perhaps most importantly: drinking. Many common water problems can be solved by water purification systems. Laboratory ultrapure water equipment currently sold by ATO provides the highest quality pure and ultrapure water with multi-stage pre-filters, reverse osmosis(RO), ultrafiltration(UF), ion exchange, UV, final filters, and other technologies. In this blog, the ATO will take you through what a water purification system is and how it works.

What is a water purification system?

The water purification system is a purification process that removes pollutants from raw water. Its purpose is to achieve the effect of water purification with pre-filters, central water purifiers, high-quality water treatment machines, water purifiers, etc., and use purified water for different purposes. Water purification can remove sand particles mixed in water, suspended particles of organic matter, parasites, Giardia basket, Cryptosporidium, bacteria, algae, viruses and fungi, minerals such as calcium, silica, magnesium, and some toxic metals such as lead, copper and chromium. 

Water purification systems typically use a combination of physical and chemical processes to purify water. These processes may include filtration, precipitation, coagulation, disinfection, and reverse osmosis. The specific method used may depend on the water source, the type of contaminants present, and the level of purification required. 

There are many different types of water purification systems available, from simple point-of-use systems for individual homes to large systems for municipal water treatment facilities. Some common types of water purification systems include activated carbon filters, distillation units, UV sterilization systems, and reverse osmosis systems. 

Overall, the goal of water purification systems is to produce water that is safe, clean, and free of harmful contaminants, ensuring it can be used for a variety of purposes, including drinking, cooking, and other household uses. 

How does it work?

For most of us, drinking water comes from a treated municipal water supply that is safe to drink but tends to have unpleasant tastes and odors from chemicals such as chlorine, which are used to disinfect water so that it is free of germs and bacteria. Depending on where you live, you may also find that tap water can form scale, which can clog pipes and damage equipment.

Water purification systems use a variety of physical and chemical processes to remove impurities and contaminants from water. The exact process may vary depending on the type of system used, but generally, most water purification systems work through a combination of the following steps: 

1. Screening and sedimentation: The water is screened first to remove large debris such as leaves and branches. Then through the sedimentation tank, the heavier particles settle to the bottom and are removed. 
2. Coagulation and flocculation: The coagulant is added to the water to make the smaller particles gather together to form larger particles, and then remove through a process called flocculation.
3. Filtration: Water passes through filters such as activated carbon, sand, or gravel to remove smaller particles and impurities. 
4. Disinfection: Water is treated with disinfectants such as chlorine or ultraviolet (UV) to kill any remaining bacteria, viruses, and other harmful microorganisms.
5. Reverse osmosis (RO) (optional): Some systems may use reverse osmosis, which uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove dissolved impurities and salts from water.
6. pH adjustment and mineralization (optional): The pH of water can be adjusted and minerals added to improve the taste and health benefits of the water. 

Generally speaking, the working principle of a water purification system is to remove impurities and pollutants through a combination of physical and chemical processes, so as to produce clean and safe water suitable for various purposes, including drinking, cooking, and other household applications.

Is a water purification system worth it?

Water is required in every laboratory for sampling, dilution, blanking, buffer preparation, and media preparation, as well as feed water for different instruments such as dishwashers or autoclaves. This water is either store-bought or comes from water purification systems. Purification systems in the laboratory mean fresh water on demand. Therefore, there is no risk of storage contamination – you know your water is always of good quality. The amount and type of water required may determine whether a water purification system is needed. If your daily water consumption is low (<5 liters/day), it may not be worth it, but it always depends on your specific application and situation. In general, the total cost of ongoing spending on bottled water over a period of time is higher than the total cost of investing in a purification system.

What needs to be considered when buying a water purification system?

When purchasing a water purification system, there are several aspects to consider. First, consider the application where you need water, which will determine the type of water you need. You also need to consider how much water you need per day, or even how much water you need per hour. Daily consumption can help determine the size of the system you need. In addition, you should also consider your lab space - do you want to place the purification system on the bench, on the wall, or under the bench? Do you need one or several additional points of use? Your feed water source also needs to be considered, as it determines what kind of configuration you need. Cost and budget are also important, not just for the water system, but also for ongoing maintenance and running costs. If monitoring and traceability are important, you may need a system that can record quality parameters or usage data. 

Overall, a water purification system is an investment in the health and well-being of you and your family. With a good system, you can enjoy clean, safe, and delicious water whenever you need it. ATO industrial automation provides laboratory water purification system solutions for laboratories, testing institutions, research institutions, hospitals, pharmaceutical factories, the chemical industry, etc., with a wide range of applications. Contact us if you have any needs.