In the realm of medical laboratories, the importance of precision and accuracy cannot be overstated. A crucial factor that guarantees the reliability of lab results is the quality of water utilized in various tests and procedures. This is where the Water Still becomes essential.
What is a Water Still?
A Water Still is an apparatus employed in medical laboratories to generate distilled water. Distilled water is devoid of impurities, minerals, and contaminants, making it suitable for use in delicate laboratory processes, reagent preparation, and instrument calibration.
What makes Distilled Water vital in Medical Laboratories?
- Purity: Distilled water, free from impurities like minerals and contaminants, is vital for experiments where even trace amounts of impurities can interfere with results
- Consistency: It provides uniformity in experimentation and procedures.
- Equipment Longevity: The use of distilled water helps prevent scale formation and corrosion in laboratory instruments.
What is Distillation
Distillation is a process in which water is heated to generate steam, which is then condensed to pure water by rapid cooling. The water thus produced is not only sterile but is free of all contaminants except volatile impurities which themselves evaporate at high temperature.
Components and Operation of Water Still
What are the Components of Water Still?
- Heating Chamber:
- Water flows into this chamber via an inflow pipe connected to a tap. An electric element or gas burner located beneath heats the water to produce steam. This chamber also includes an outflow pipe for draining any leftover water and for cleaning purposes.
- Condenser:
- Steam is transferred to the condenser through an outlet. The condenser consists of a double jacket pipe. The steam in the inner jacket is cooled by a continuous flow of cold water in the outer jacket. The condensed water from the inner jacket is collected in appropriate containers.
How Does a Water Still Works?
Grasping how a Water Still operates is vital for both practical use and exam study. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- Heating: The Water Still warms tap water until it reaches its boiling point (100°C or 212°F at sea level).
- Evaporation: Once the water reaches a boil, it transforms into steam, leaving behind impurities like minerals, salts, and microorganisms.
- Condensation: The steam is subsequently cooled in a condenser, reverting it to liquid form.
- Collection: The resulting distilled water is gathered in a sterile container for laboratory purposes.
Types of water Stills
There are two primary categories of Water Stills utilized in medical labs:
- Single-Distillation Water Still:
- Yields water with a purity of approximately 99%.
- Appropriate for standard laboratory applications.
- Generally more cost-effective and easier to upkeep.
- Double-Distillation Water Still:
- Yields water with a purity level of 99.9%.
- Employed for very sensitive procedures, such as HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) and experiments in molecular biology.
- Demands more energy and maintenance attention.
Applications of Distilled Water in Medical Laboratories
Distilled water generated by a Water Still is utilized for various laboratory functions, such as:
- Preparation of reagents and solutions.
- Calibrating of laboratory instruments.
- Cleaning and rinsing glassware used in the lab.
- preparation of media in microbiology lab and biochemical analyses like ELIZA .
- Executing molecular biology processes like PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction).
Maintenance and Precautions for Water Stills
Maintaining a Water Still properly guarantees its durability and effectiveness. Here are some suggestions:
- Routine Cleaning: Eliminate mineral deposits and scale accumulation from the boiling chamber.
- Examine Components: Inspect the condenser and cooling system for any leaks or damage.
- Use High-Quality Water: Begin with filtered or softened water to minimize scaling.
- Follow Manufacturer Instructions: Stick to the recommended operating protocols.
Safety Measures:
- Always treat hot components with caution.
- Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent steam from accumulating.
- Frequently assess electrical safety.
Qualities of distilled water
Distilled water is clear, free of microorganisms, devoid of non-volatile contaminants, and suitable for producing most laboratory reagents. It has minimal interference with chemical analyses. The quality can be further enhanced by re-distilling the water once (double distilled water) or twice (triple distilled water). This process can be performed in a sequential manner or by connecting two or three stills in succession. In the latter method, water from the condenser of one still is directly channeled into the heating chamber of the next still in the series.