摘要 |
A sterile water generator (B) generates a stream of sterile water on demand. A water heater (130) heats incoming, unsterile water to a sufficient temperature to achieve sterilization of the water. The sterile water is then passed through a heat exchanger (110) which transfers excess heat from the sterile water to the incoming water. This reduces the energy consumption of the water heater and reduces the temperature of the sterile water ready for use. The sterile water is delivered to a site (A), at which the water is to be used, through a sterile water delivery pathway (C) to avoid recontamination of the water. A first portion (162) of the pathway is pre-sterilized by flowing steam or hot water, generated by the water heater, along the pathway (C). A second portion (212) of the pathway is sterilized with a liquid antimicrobial from the site. The first and second portions of the pathway have at least one common leg (164).
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