EMD Millipore Introduces AFS® 8D and AFS® 16D Degassed Water Purification Systems

• New systems offer cost-effective solutions for analyzers’ degassed water needs up to 320 L daily
• Complementary water purification techniques ensure delivery of degassed clinical laboratory reagent water to comply with the CLSI® guideline
• Robust and easy-to-use systems require little maintenance, help reduce analyzer downtime

June 19, 2012, Billerica, MA — EMD Millipore, the Life Science division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, today announced the introduction of its AFS® 8D and AFS® 16D water purification systems. The new systems are designed to provide cost-effective, low-maintenance solutions for clinical analyzers requiring degassed clinical laboratory reagent water (CLRW).

The EMD Millipore AFS® 8D and AFS® 16D water purification systems integrate complementary water purifications techniques (e.g., complete pretreatment, advanced reverse osmosis, exposure to a bactericidal UV lamp, degassing, and final 0.22 µm filtration) in order to produce degassed clinical laboratory reagent water with consistently pure and reliable water quality.

“These new systems were designed to provide an economical, efficient and reliable solution for laboratories that require degassed clinical laboratory reagent water to feed clinical analyzers,” explains Lab Water Product Manager, Maryse Gauthey. “The systems use a combination of purification methods including final 0.22 µm filtration,” she continues. “Depending on their analyzers’ needs, laboratories may choose a 0.22 µm Millipak® filter to remove particles and bacteria, or a BioPak® C clinical ultrafiltration cartridge to ensure removal of bacterial by-products for Alkaline Phosphatase-free water.

“In addition, users concerned about traceability needs for accreditation can rest assured,” she notes. “The new AFS® D systems are equipped with full monitoring and automatic water quality archiving capabilities, and can store up to six months of data. Plus, optional activation of Millitrack® software will provide users with quick and remote access to this data, as well as enhanced data management control,” she concludes.

The AFS® 8D and 16D models provide degassed water flow rates of 8 or 16 liters per hour and daily production capacity of up to 320 liters. The high-quality pure water produced by the systems has resistivity values typically exceeding 15 MΩ•cm at 25 °C, less than 30 ppb of TOC (Total Organic Carbon), and bacteria levels of less than 1 cfu/mL.

Intuitive controls make operation simple, with only necessary information shown on the backlit screen, and straightforward color coding that highlights message importance. The low-maintenance systems help reduce analyzer downtime, thereby saving users time and money. Systems incorporate a number of automatic self-maintenance functions, and are also equipped with an ergonomic purification pack locking system to facilitate pack changes.

Adaptable configurations make the best use of laboratory space: AFS® D systems can easily be installed on the wall, on or under the bench, or on a cart. A full range of high-quality polyethylene reservoirs (10-350 liters) is available for use with the new systems.

Additional information on AFS® 8D / 16D systems

About EMD Millipore

EMD Millipore is the Life Science division of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, offers a broad range of innovative, performance products, services and business relationships that enable our customers' success in research, development and production of biotech and pharmaceutical drug therapies. Through dedicated collaboration on new scientific and engineering insights, and as one of the top three R&D investors in the Life Science Tools industry, EMD Millipore serves as a strategic partner to customers and helps advance the promise of life science.

Headquartered in Billerica, Massachusetts, the division has around 10,000 employees, operations in 67 countries and 2010 revenues of $2.2 billion.