De-ionized and Ultra-pure Water Storage Tanks and Valves

Uses and Production of Ultra-pure Water

Highly purified water is required in a number of industrial and medical applications, especially in pharmaceuticals production, electronics manufacturing and water for injection (WFI) such as for water used in medical intravenous solutions. The range of methods used to produce high-purity water is extensive and may involve one or a series of steps from among the following processes, for example:

• Chemical treatment
• De-ionization
• Distillation
• Vapor-compression distillation
• Filtration
• Forward osmosis
• Reverse osmosis
• Ultraviolet-light sterilization

Technical standards for purified water are set by ASTM, ISO and USP, among other bodies.

It may be surprising to some that purity standards for the electronics industry often exceed those of WFI by a wide margin. Also, the limits for endotoxin and bacteria in Type A laboratory water are eight and ten times lower than WFI, respectively. ASTM Type 1.2 water for microelectronics has microbial limits similar to lab water, with total organic carbon and conductivity specifications far below those for WFI as well.

Contaminants to be removed during purification processes include suspended and dissolved solids such as: pathogens, other micro-organisms, salts and endotoxins (a heat-stable toxin present in bacterial cell walls that is released if the cell wall disintegrates.) Admixed liquids must be eliminated and dissolved gasses may also require removal.

Keeping it Clean

Once the water is made pure, it is essential that it remains pure. As the purified water is pumped and stored, it comes into contact with a variety of materials and process conditions. These must be carefully engineered and controlled to prevent contaminating situations such as leaching of metals into the water or the growth of microorganisms.

White Mountain Process Tanks

White Mountain Process supplies tanks that meet the most demanding specifications for chemical inertness, which prevents leaching and equipment deterioration under process conditions. These tanks and valves are also designed to drain completely, reducing the potential for growth of micro-organisms. We also provide stainless steel or exotic-alloy and polypropylene equipment that can stand up to autoclaving conditions.

White Mountain Process can supply a variety of sealed vapor-tight mix tank setups, depending on your application requirements. Tanks for de-ionized and ultra-pure water applications include:

Corrosion Resistant– These comprise non-metallic mixers and agitated mix tanks in a variety of materials including PE, PP, PVDF, PTFE, exotic alloys such as titanium and Hast C, cGMP and USP VI poly materials.

Biopharma duty– Comprising a USP VI cGMP process vessel with agitator, 15Ra and electro-polished 316L SS wetted parts, material certificates, document package and USP VI elastomers. Tank sizes are available from 1-liter to 5,000-gallons capacities.

White Mountain Process Valves

Aseptic high purity polypropylene tank valves Non-metallic radial diaphragm valves

Aseptic high-purity polypropylene tank valves are being utilized more frequently for biopharma applications. With stainless steel sanitary process vessels becoming very long lead items, FDA HDPE tanks and USP VI polypropylene vessels provide fast fabrication times and are very cost effective.

White Mountain Process mixers help you integrate aseptic tank-bottom valves, no-deadleg sample valves and inline valves fabricated in poly materials with FDA and USP certifications.

Our polypropylene diaphragm sanitary valves offer an aseptic, cost-effective solution for biopharma mix tanks, process vessels and high-purity piping.

Polypropylene and other plastics are increasingly used for mixing equipment such as vessels and parts, due to the great aseptic qualities of these materials. Due to advancements in the production of biopharmaceuticals, electronics and semiconductors, fluid and material handling equipment must hold to higher standards. White Mountain Process mixers, agitators and blenders offer a variety of poly and other plastics tank valves for applications that require aseptic, high-purity components. The benefits are many, especially in medical or biopharmaceutical applications where aseptic, high-purity mixing is critical.

Our aseptic high-purity poly tank valves can outperform metal valves in critical areas.

Alloys and metals were once thought to be superior for aseptic applications, however plastic is outperforming metals in several key areas, including aseptic high purity poly tank valves. One clear advantage of aseptic high purity poly tank valves, is the higher chemical resistance offered in comparison to metal. Chemical leaching from metal has become a significant concern in critical high product purity for pharmaceutical and biochemical applications.

Even exotic, costly metals like titanium no longer meet the requirements of evolving medical technology and pharmaceuticals, where leaching into ultrapure water must be prevented. Leaching concerns aren’t limited to biopharma applications; other industries such as semiconductor, computer and electronics also have a zero-tolerance for metal contamination and leaching. This makes poly and other plastics valves top choices for industries where leaching must be minimal and the use of inert materials is critical to the integrity of the product.

Non-metallic radial diaphragm valves from White Mountain Process offer significant cost savings. Aside from the lower material cost, poly and other plastics tank valves don’t have problems with threads seizing to metal. The parts are also lighter, making routine maintenance easier.

Many chemicals destroy metals, including various alloys and special metals. Aseptic high-purity poly materials provide greater corrosion resistance than metal, often at a dramatic cost savings when compared to upgraded alloys.

White Mountain Process offers Polypropylene Diaphragm Valves in USP VI materials. Designs include:

• Radial-diaphragm valves
• Weir-diaphragm valves
• Tank-bottom valves
• Inline valves
• Sample valves

All of the above are available in manual or air-actuated configurations.

Using USP VI certified poly materials, White Mountain Process offers sanitary valves for biopharma mix tanks, process vessels and high-purity piping as follows:

• Aseptic and high-purity sanitary valves, in USP VI and FDA poly materials
• Polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDF) or Kynar® materials
• Radial flush-mount diaphragm sample valves, with manual and air actuation.
• Tank-bottom polypropylene flush-mount valves, with radial diaphragm and with air actuators or manual open/close
• FDA certificates available for PE valve materials
• USP VI certificates available for PP and PVDF materials