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Sterlitech HP4750 High Pressure Stirred Cell

SKU
HP4750
Manufacturer
Sterlitech

Details

Sterlitech HP4750 High Pressure Stirred Cell

Applications

Safe Operation: Volatile solutions can be processed safely because the Sterlitech™ HP4750 operates on standard sources of compressed air or inert gases (nitrogen, argon, etc.). This provides the user with a variable, safe and consistent supply of pressure to effect membrane separations. 

High-Pressure Operation: Solutions with high levels of dissolved solids and high osmotic pressure can be separated with the Sterlitech™ HP4750. The cell is designed for safe operation to 1000 psig (69 bar). 

Removable Stir Bar: Concentration polarization at the membrane surface is minimized by a PTFE-coated magnetic stir bar mechanism. The stir bar can be driven by any standard stirring plate. 

Accepts Standard Membrane Discs: Sterlitech™ HP4750 Stirred Cell accommodates any 47 to 50 mm diameter membrane disc. 

Chemically Resistant Materials of Construction: 316L stainless steel construction makes the Sterlitech™ HP4750 resistant to most chemical degradation. Buna-N gaskets and O-rings are provided as standard with other optional materials available to meet operating requirements. 

Unique Design: The cell top can easily be removed to fill the vessel with up to 300 mL of solution. The cell bottom is removable for quick membrane change-out. The top and bottom are secured to the vessel with mechanical couplings. This unique design enables low hold-up volume, down to as low as 1 mL, so valuable solutions are not wasted.

Specifications

HP4750 Comparison:


  HP4750
HP4750
HP4750X
HP4750X

Membrane Size

1.93 in dia. nominal (49 mm) 1.93 in dia. nominal (49 mm)

Active Membrane Area

2.26 in2 (14.6 cm2) 2.26 in2 (14.6 cm2)

Processing Volume

Up to 300 mL Up to 300 mL

Hold-Up Volume

1 mL 1 mL

Max Pressure
1000 psig (69 bar) w/high-pressure clamps 2500 psig (172 bar)

Max Temp
250 °F (121 °C) at 800 psig (55 bar) 400 °F (205 °C) at 2000 psig (138 bar)

 Max Torque Setting for Nuts

20 ft-lbs NA

pH Range

Membrane Dependent Membrane Dependent
Connections Permeate Outlet: ⅛ in dia. 316L SS tubing;
Pressure Inlet: ¼ in FNPT
Permeate Outlet: ⅛ in dia. 316L SS tubing;
Pressure Inlet: ¼ in FNPT

Cell Body
316L Stainless Steel 316L Stainless Steel

O-Rings
Buna-N, others available as options Viton or PTFE

Gasket
Buna-N, others available as options Viton or PTFE

Stir Bar
PTFE PTFE

Cell Diameter
2.0 in (5.1 cm) 2.75 in (7.0 cm)

Cell Height
7.8 in (19.9 cm) 10 in (22.4 cm)

Cell Width
5.7 in (14.6 cm) w/high-pressure couplings NA

Note: OSN Membranes should be pre-soaked in pure organic solvent prior to testing.

Animations

HP4750 Stirred Cell Animation

HP4750 Operating Procedure

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you may cut the membrane to fit in your stirred cell. You can use the support disk from the stirred cell as a template.  

Any conventional magnetic stir plate will work. Sterlitech recommend the Scilogex MS7-H550-Pro. The large 7in square ceramic base provides a good foundation for the stirred cells while the digital display ensures precise repeatable control of the stirring function.

Yes, you can use the AO membrane disc filters in the stirred cells. These disk filters are very brittle and must be handled with an abundance of care to avoid breakage. Use membrane tweezers  to carefully place the disk filter on the surface of the support disk and then install the support disk in the stirred cell body.

Yes, you can use almost all microfiltration membrane disk filters  in the stirred cells. The only exception are the ceramic membrane disk filters; these are too thick to fit in the stirred cells.

You can find a diagram for a typical stirred cell system at https://www.sterlitech.com/media/wysiwyg/Manual/HP4750_Flow_Diagram.png. In addition to the stirred cell itself, the user will require a pressure source consisting of a regulated supply of compressed inert gas or air, a bleed valve for releasing the air pressure, an appropriately sized magnetic stirring plate, and a permeate collection vessel (e.g. flask or beaker) to collect the filtrate. 

Yes, for flat sheet membranes that will be used with water or aqueous solutions, we recommend that you pre-condition the membranes prior to conducting your separation experiments. Pre-conditioning helps ensure that the membranes perform as expected. Also, pre-conditioning removes preservatives and other residuals from the membranes.

To pre-condition the membrane disk, install it in the stirred cell and then fill the stirred cell with purified deionized water. Initiate operation of the stirred cell at the pressure and temperature expected for the separation experiments. Allow the cell to operate until the permeate flux has stabilized at an expected value. Then release the pressure, discard any water remaining in the stirred cell, and discard the water from the permeate collection vessel. You may now proceed with your experiments by refilling the cell with the desired feed sample. At no time should the wetted membrane disk be allowed to dry.  

Yes, we offer operating manuals for the HP4750HP4750X, UHP polymeric stirred cells. You can find links to the operating manuals for the stirred cells by clicking on the “Documention/Media” tab on the stirred cell product pages.

It is important to note that membrane manufacturer’s specifications for rejection and permeate flux are usually based on testing of large area spiral wound membrane elements operating in crossflow mode using standardized feed streams and pressures. It is normal, and to be expected, that rejection and permeate flux will be different for feed streams and pressures that are not similar to the standardized test conditions. It is also normal, and to be expected, that rejection and permeate flux will have greater variability from published specifications for devices with membrane active areas that are very much smaller than spiral wound elements, such as stirred cells. Some amount of concentration buildup in the feed for stirred cells is inevitable and this may affect rejection and permeate flux.

There are some tactics that can be used to optimize rejection and permeate flow while using stirred cells. First, the membrane should be pre-conditioned using purified deionized water. Please refer to the operating manual for the pre-conditioning procedure. Second, make sure that the stir bar is turning properly and at an appropriate rate. Third, the operating pressure should correspond to the membrane manufacturer’s recommended pressure. Finally, you may want to stop your experiments while there is still some feed liquid remaining in the stirred cell to mitigate effects associated with increasing concentrations.

Yes, you may connect the permeate line directly to an instrument. However, it is important to understand that if the membrane fails or is allowed to dry, then the full feed pressure may be applied to the permeate line. If the instrument cannot withstand the feed pressure, then directly connecting the permeate line is not recommended. Alternatively, if the membrane becomes prematurely fouled (due to a high TDS or particulate loading), permeate levels may drop below detection in the HPLC inlet port.

The stirred cells are designed to accept flat sheet membranes with thickness of 350 microns or less.

The porous support disk has a nominal pore size of 20µm.  

 

Flow characteristics for a spiral element and flat sheet membrane are significantly different and are really only comparable on a qualitative basis. Variability in the membrane manufacturing process, differences in water composition, test procedures, and test equipment, used in a factory, laboratory, or elsewhere, will impact water flux results.

The HP4750 stirred cell is composed of 316 stainless steel, but is also available in Hastelloy C-276 for highly corrosive environments. The magnetic stir bar is PTFE coated to prevent corrosion and to ensure broad chemical compatibility. The standard seals are composed of Buna-N; other seal elastomers are optionally available.

The maximum operating pressure for the HP4750 stirred cell is 1000psi (69bar) at room temperature. However, the actual maximum operating pressure may be limited by the membrane being used.

The maximum operating temperature for the HP4750 stirred cell itself is 250°F (121°C) at ≤800psi (55bar). However, the actual maximum operating temperature may be limited by the seal elastomer or by the membrane being used.

The HP4750 stirred cell will accept a membrane disk of 47mm to 49mm in diameter.

Sterlitech offers an adapter that allows 25mm membrane discs to be used in the HP4750 stirred cell. Membrane discs with other diameters typically cannot be used. However, some users have been able to accommodate other diameters in low pressure applications by blanking the unoccupied area with an appropriately sized annular flat gasket. Please contact us if you desire to use smaller disks in the HP4750 as we may be able to provide some assistance.

No, the ceramic membrane disk filters are too thick to fit in the HP4750 stirred cell. Although not recommended by Sterlitech, some users have reported being able to close and operate the HP4750 stirred cell by replacing the support disk with a 47mm ceramic membrane disk filter. However, success was almost always limited to low pressure use and physical damage to the disk filters was very common. 

Yes, use the metal membrane support as a guide for cutting a disc.

Yes, there is a mechanical stirring option for the HP4750 stirred cell. The mechanical stirrer is available with either a 110V or 230V rated motor. Please note that the shaft adapter of the mechanical stirrer occupies the 1/4” FNPT pressure port in the stirred cell top and has a 1/8” FNPT pressure port.

The mechanical stirrer (https://www.sterlitech.com/mechanical-stirrer-with-stir-bar-and-shaft-1144035-110.html) is typically used for processing fluids with high viscosities that would stall a magnetic stir bar.

The pressure port in the top of the HP4750 stirred cell has 1/4” NPT female threads. If the mechanical stirrer is being used, the pressure port in the shaft adapter has 1/8” NPT female threads.

The permeate port in the body of the HP4750 stirred cell has 1/8” NPT female threads.

If you would prefer to source the Swagelok fittings from Sterlitech, please contact us for pricing and availability. 

The high pressure gas regulator assembly  is supplied with a CGA 580 fitting, common in North America for use with commercial inert gas cylinders. Sterlitech also offers an optional DIN 10 fitting (https://www.sterlitech.com/pressure-regulator-conversion-kit-din-10-assembly-1-4-nptm.html) for use in numerous European countries. If the CGA 580 fitting or DIN 10 fitting are not suitable, please contact your local specialty compressed gas supplier for an appropriate fitting that is compatible with the North American ¼” NPT female threads of the Sterlitech regulator ports.

This is a valve that installed in the stirred cell assembly to decrease the operating pressure of the HP4750 as well as depressurizing the cell after each experiment to unassembled the unit. For more information regarding the pressure bleed valve and the best practice to operate the stirred cell, please refer to the following user manual.

The user must completely release the pressure before opening a stirred cell. The HP4750 and HP4750X stirred cells do not have integrated pressure relief valves, but Sterlitech does offer an accessory bleed valve for purchase which can be attached to the regulator's outlet to the high pressure hose upstream of the stirred cell. https://www.sterlitech.com/pressure-relief-bleed-valve-2500-psig-1155893.html . The bleed valve can be slowly opened to release pressure when necessary for sample removal or refilling.

The polymeric stirred cells have integrated pressure relief valves. These valves can simply be opened to release the pressure when necessary.

Q. What are the differences between the crossflow test cells and the Sterlitech HP4750 stirred cell?

A. The Sepa CF, CF042, and CF016 test cells operate in true crossflow mode and have both concentrate and permeate streams. Depending on system design and the fluid being processed, they are operated with user selected pressure and flow parameters and allow for continuous testing and sampling.The HP4750 stirred cell is an enclosed batch system with a maximum feed volume of 300mL that is typically pressured with compressed gas. Stirred cells are operated in normal flow mode and do not have a concentrate stream. Stir bar action is used to simulate cross flow near the membrane surface.

 

test cell and flat sheet membrane coupon sizes

These membrane sizes are intended for use in the bench-scale crossflow test cells offered by Sterlitech. Please see list of flat sheet membranes we offer and their dimensions: