Water Distillers Water distillers provide purified water. Distilled Water The usage of distilled water may equal or exceed the purity of RO water. Despite the relatively low cost of the necessary plant, it is expensive to produce due to the energy usage and the quantity required. Distilled water is only used in laboratories, Washer-disinfectors and RO (Reverse Osmosis) is usually an acceptable alternative.

Reverse Osmosis (RO)

Reverse osmosis plants remove dissolved contaminants from the water. The process removes organic material, bacterial endotoxins and micro-organisms, as well as ionic species. The water is passed under pressure through a semi-permeable membrane against an osmotic gradient.

Although the initial capital lost is generally higher than for a de-ionisation system the operational costs are generally lower.

RO+ is reverse osmosis with the water filtered (0.22 micron) and continuously re- circulated so that the filter is not left wet in static water.

The recirculation water is protected from microbial contamination by either;

1. Raising it to an elevated temperature (e.g. greater than 60oC) or

2. by the use of ultra violet radiation.