Research Groups within the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Oxford are using the latest water purification technology from Purite for the provision of both BS EN ISO 3696 grade 2 general laboratory water and grade 1 ultrapure water. Two Purite Select Fusion dual grade systems are providing the research groups with reliable and consistent water quality combined with extremely fast refill times, all via a single unit.

Prior to the introduction of the new Select Fusion units the research groups within the Department of Pharmacology had used Purite reverse osmosis/deioniser systems to supply grade 2 water with additional polisher units where grade 1 was required. After satisfactory operation over some 15 years it was decided to change the systems to the Select Fusion all-in-one purification units to benefit from the latest in purification technology combined with greater cost effectiveness.

The Research Groups are using approximately 20 litres of grade 2 purified water per day for a range of general laboratory duties, including glassware washing and rinsing. The grade 2 water is provided by means of an integral tank that has a capacity of 20 litres, and is fitted with a high flow outlet to provide the final rinse water for an under-bench glassware washer.

In addition, the Research Groups use approximately 5 litres of ultrapure (18 megohm.cm) water per day for critical laboratory analyses such as molecular biological buffers, growth media for microbiological work and tissue culture solutions. With conventional systems ultrapure water would have to be produced by means of a reverse osmosis (RO) unit followed by a polisher. With the Select Fusion system, RO purified water from the tank is recirculated through a dual wavelength ultra-violet light, nuclear grade deionisation and sub micron filtration to produce 18 megohm.cm. water. This is dispensed from the high purity outlet on the Select Fusion at the push of a button.

The Select Fusion units are wall-mounted within the laboratories at Oxford to maximise bench space. James Sandy, Laboratory Manager/Research Assistant comments, "the Select Fusion systems are compact and provide excellent quality water. In fact, the laboratory runs more efficiently as the water quality can be absolutely relied upon".

A third Select Fusion unit has recently been installed for use by an additional Research Group within the Department for their Laboratory.