Method and device for the production of pure water

A continuous method for producing pure water by means of heat sterilization and filtration comprising:

• heating feed water without vaporization to a temperature above 140° C. for a time sufficient to achieve a preselected sterility level in said water;
• crossflow filtering the heated water at essentially the sterilization temperature.

A device for producing pure water, the device comprising:

• at least one filtration unit having sufficient separation power for rendering said water sufficiently pure to satisfy preselected purity standards;
• a filtration circuit including said filtration unit, which circuit is adapted for holding a temperature above 100° C. and for circulating said water at a temperature above 100° C.;
• a means for heating water and keeping said heated water in liquid form above 100° C. without vaporization for a period sufficient for sterilization and for maintaining the water in the filtration unit and the filtration circuit above 100° C. during filtering.

A method for producing pure water comprising:

• heating water under pressure to a temperature above 100° C. without vaporization;
• passing a first portion of the heated water at a temperature above 100° C. through a filter to generate a pure water product stream;
• passing another portion of the heated water past the filter at a temperature above 100° C. in a retentate flow.

A continuous method for producing pure water comprising:

• heating water without evaporation to a temperature above 100° C. for a time sufficient to sterilize said water;
• crossflow filtering the heated sterile water to generate a retentate water flow and a pure water flow, keeping the sterile water heated to above 100° C. during the crossflow filtering.

A device for producing pure water, the device comprising:

• a crossflow filter having a sterile water input, a permeate output, and a retentate output;
• a heater means connected with the sterile water input for heating the sterile water without evaporation above 100° C. and keeping the water in the crossflow filter above 100° C. during filtering.