Purite, a leading UK manufacturer of high performance water purification equipment, has launched a new system that has been developed specifically to provide (S)HTM 2030 quality water for use with single or multi chamber washing machines for endoscope cleaning. Called the Integra E, the new system meets the NHS C32 guidelines and incorporates a range of features designed to simplify installation, operation and maintenance, plus integrated data logging to ensure full traceability for up to 12 months.

The Integra E is available in two versions, the Integra ES (for use with soft feedwater streams) and the Integra EH (for hard feedwater), and uses proven reverse osmosis (RO) technology to produce a flow of up to 2,000 litres of purified water per hour from standard municipal potable supplies. The output flow is fed into an integral pure water storage tank, from here the water is distributed via a ringmain to the endoscope washing machines. The system automatically switches to a standby mode when the pure water tank is full, to minimise energy consumption. Also included is a raw water break tank with a Type AB air gap to eliminate the possibility of water backflow and to comply with the relevant water bye-laws.

Both of the new Integra E water purification systems are quick and easy to install and, perhaps more importantly, incorporate sophisticated control devices with front panel displays to simplify ongoing operation. All critical operating parameters can be

automatically monitored, with the system storing a detailed record, including changes in operating status and alarm conditions, which may be used as part of quality control and traceability procedures. In addition, the Integra E can be set to output operating details on a scheduled basis, with the added feature of remote monitoring.

Integra E is based on the latest reverse osmosis (RO) technology, which removes inorganic ions and larger, non-ionic contaminants from the water stream by passing pressurised feedwater through a specialised semi-permeable membrane. This is capable of rejecting up to 98% of the mineral salts, silica and organic compounds and over 99% of bacteria that may be present, producing a stream of purified water.