ELGA PURELAB QUEST Brochure

Importance of Laboratory Water Purity

High-quality water is foundational for reliable results in analytical chemistry, molecular biology and general laboratory workflows. Impurities in water can compromise sensitive techniques such as HPLC, GC-MS, cell culture, PCR and buffer preparation. Modern research demands consistent, contaminant-free water to support reproducible experiments and maintain data integrity.

Objectives and Overview of the Product

The PURELAB Quest system by ELGA/Veolia is designed to deliver three grades of laboratory water (Type I, II and III) from a single compact unit. This summary examines the system’s capabilities, performance validation, sustainability features and practical advantages for routine lab applications.

Methodology and Instrumentation Used

The PURELAB Quest integrates reverse osmosis, deionization cartridges, UV photo-oxidation and multiple quality sensors for real-time monitoring. Two variants are available: the standard Quest and Quest UV (with additional UV purification for lower total organic carbon). Key features include:

• RO membrane pretreatment to remove bulk ions and particulates
• Ion-exchange purification packs for Type I and II water
• 254 nm UV lamp in the Quest UV model to reduce TOC
• Automated recirculation loop to inhibit biofilm formation
• Conductivity, resistivity and flow sensors with IoT connectivity

Main Results and Discussion

Extensive validation demonstrates robust performance:

• Type I water: 18.2 MΩ·cm resistivity, TOC < 5 ppb (Quest UV) or < 30 ppb, bacterial counts < 0.1 cfu/ml
• Type II water: resistivity > 1 MΩ·cm, TOC < 50 ppb, bacterial counts < 100 cfu/ml
• Type III water: conductivity < 20 µS/cm, TOC < 200 ppb, bacterial counts < 1 000 cfu/ml, ionic rejection > 96 %
• Dispense flow up to 1.2 l/min, daily yields up to 30 l for Type III
• Over 150 000 dispensing cycles (equivalent to 20 years of use) with consistent quality
• Recirculation tests show static reservoirs increase bacterial load from 4 to > 1 000 cfu/ml, whereas recirculated reservoirs remain at ~ 2 cfu/ml

The system’s compact footprint (232 × 511 × 421 mm) and bench- or wall-mountable design save space. Integrated digital monitoring and a global service network ensure minimal downtime.

Benefits and Practical Applications

The PURELAB Quest offers:

• Three water grades from a single unit, reducing capital and consumable costs
• Plug-and-play installation with multilingual menu navigation
• Volumetric dispensing from 100 ml to 7 l for efficient lab workflows
• Preprogrammed annual sanitization with minimal user intervention
• Sustainable design using > 85 % reclaimed materials and long-life consumables
• IoT connectivity for remote monitoring, reducing service visits and environmental impact

This versatility supports applications such as HPLC, AA/ICP-OES, IC, PCR/DNA sequencing, tissue culture, histology, glassware rinsing, water baths and autoclave feed.

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advancements likely to shape next-generation lab water systems include:

• Enhanced digital analytics and predictive maintenance via machine learning
• Integration with laboratory information management systems for quality traceability
• Further miniaturization and modularity for flexible deployments in field and mobile labs
• Eco-design improvements to minimize waste and energy consumption

Conclusion

The PURELAB Quest platform delivers reliable, high-purity water across three grades in a compact, connected and cost-effective package. Rigorous testing validates its long-term performance, low biofilm risk and user-friendly operation. By meeting diverse lab requirements and supporting sustainability goals, this system establishes a robust foundation for modern scientific discovery.

Reference

No external literature citations were provided in the source document.