Removal of bacteria

Abstract

This invention relates to an ion exchange column for the removal of bacteria from a liquid medium wherein the column has, as an indicator to indicate when the column capacity for removal of bacteria is exhausted, a filter having submicron pores which will become plugged after a short period of usage with an exhausted bacteria-removing ion exchange column so that pressure build up will noticeably reduce the flow of liquid exiting from the filter thereby indicating to the user that the ion exchange column is exhausted. This invention also relates to a process for removing bacteria from a liquid medium wherein a bacteria containing medium is passed through an ion exchange column capable of removing such bacteria and then through a filter having submicron pores. When the capacity of the ion exchange column for removing bacteria is substantially exhausted, bacteria are removed by the submicron filter which quickly plugs. The build up in pressure, as a result of the plugging of the submicron filter, results in a reduction in the flow of liquid exiting from the filter and thereby indicates to the user that the ion exchange column has become exhausted for its intended purposes.