About Sterlitech’s Bench-scale Test Cells

Sterlitech offers bench-scale membrane test cells that can be used for a variety of filtration applications. The Developer series are the largest cells used with Sepa size flat sheet membrane coupons, i.e. membrane active area of 140 cm2/24 in2. The Explorer series is used with CF042 size flat sheet membranes, i.e. membrane active area of 42 cm2/6.5 in2. The Innovator series are the smallest cells used with CF016 size flat sheet membranes, i.e. membrane active area of 20.6 cm2/3.2 in2. All three series of cells are available in a  variety of material of construction, including: Stainless steel, Hastelloy, Delrin, PTFE, Acrylic.

These are available in models suited for Cross/tangential Flow, Forward Osmosis, or both processes. For Cross Flow applications, the feed solution is circulated tangentially to the membrane filter. Molecules or materials which are smaller than the membrane's molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) or porosity pass through the membrane as permeate and the remainder is retained on the feed side of the membrane as retentate. In contrast, Forward Osmosis applications have both feed and draw solutions circulated tangentially to the membrane filter. Passage of molecules through the membrane from the feed side to the draw side is driven by the osmotic pressure difference available between the feed and draw solution.

Features of the bench-scale test cell system include:

  • Accepts polymeric flat sheet membrane coupons
  • Mimics both laminar or turbulent flow conditions
  • Provides fast and accurate performance data
  • Offers judicious membrane use with small membrane active area

Check out the following links to animations for some of our test cells, and please contact us with any questions.

CF016A Cell

CF016A Flat Sheet Membranes

CF042 Cell

 

Sepa FO Cell