Ultra Pure Water
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UPW ANALYSIS
Ultra pure water is a critical raw material used in manufacturing advanced products including semiconductors, alternative energy components, micro- and nano-mechanical devices, biomedical products and many others. Cerium’s Analytical Chemistry group routinely monitors ultra pure water purity as well as the performance and efficacy of process equipment used to produce ultra pure water. Typical measurements include:
Trace Metals
Trace metals are identified and measured at parts-per-trillion concentrations using High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (HR-ICPMS). Of particular interest is the element boron which is used as an indicator to monitor efficacy of the ion exchange resin beds. Since boron is the first element to “break through” as the resin becomes exhausted, its presence above a threshold concentration signals the need for resin regeneration.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile organic compounds are identified and measured using combined Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). These compounds may be removed from ultra pure water using purge & trap techniques or a novel “spin bar sorptive extraction” method, commercialized by Gerstel, which offers improved sensitivity for less volatile organics.
Material Compatibility
Ultra pure water is one of the world’s most powerful solvents. Materials used to construct UPW production and distribution systems must be evaluated to insure that they do not contribute contaminants through leaching or decomposition when exposed to sterilization chemicals. Cerium offers a broad array of chemical and surface analysis techniques to fully characterize construction materials for UPW systems.
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