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Cross and Tangential Flow Cell Kits
Tangential Flow Filtration Cell Kits

Sterlitech offers do-it-yourself (DIY) kits for operating our Membrane Test Cells as well as fully assembled systems

The kits require assembly and do NOT include:

1) Wiring of the pump/motor and VFD

2) A main power switch

3) Membrane test cells

4) System mounting

5) Premade NPT and compression fitting connections between component assemblies

6) Scale and permeate collector

Interested in learning how to operate our membrane process equipment?  Check out our MPD channel to watch videos now!

SKU Product Name Est Ship Price
Explorer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit, 110V, 60Hz, 1Ph 1200397 Explorer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit, 110V, 60Hz, 1Ph 5-7 days
$15,133.00
Explorer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit, 230V, 50/60Hz, 1Ph 1200469 Explorer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit, 230V, 50/60Hz, 1Ph 5-7 days
$15,133.00
Developer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit (includes cell), 110V, 60Hz, 1Ph 1200398 Developer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit (includes cell), 110V, 60Hz, 1Ph 5-7 days
$22,802.27
Developer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit (includes cell), 230V, 50/60Hz, 1Ph 1200484 Developer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit (includes cell), 230V, 50/60Hz, 1Ph 5-7 days
$22,802.27
Entrepreneur Cross/Tangential Flow Kit, 110V, 60Hz, 1Ph 1200485 Entrepreneur Cross/Tangential Flow Kit, 110V, 60Hz, 1Ph 5-7 days
$16,775.45
Entrepreneur Cross/Tangential Flow Kit, 230V, 50/60Hz, 1Ph 1200486 Entrepreneur Cross/Tangential Flow Kit, 230V, 50/60Hz, 1Ph 5-7 days
$16,775.45
Developer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit (includes cell), Ultra High Pressure, 230V, 50/60Hz, 1Ph 1200456 Developer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit (includes cell), Ultra High Pressure, 230V, 50/60Hz, 1Ph Contact Us
$30,125.18
Explorer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit, Low Pressure, 110V, 60Hz, 1Ph 1160318 Explorer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit, Low Pressure, 110V, 60Hz, 1Ph 5-7 days
$6,935.99
Explorer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit, Low Pressure, 230V, 50/60Hz, 1Ph 1160393 Explorer Cross/Tangential Flow Kit, Low Pressure, 230V, 50/60Hz, 1Ph 5-7 days
$6,935.99
Skid System Hold-up Volume Recovery Kit, 110V/60Hz 1200160 Skid System Hold-up Volume Recovery Kit, 110V/60Hz 5-7 days
$695.06
per page

Accessory

SKU Product Name Price
1202013 Additional System Line, 1/2" (Includes additional ball valves and check valves)
$2,007.08
1202012 Additional System Line, 3/8" (Includes additional ball valves and check valves)
$1,415.19
1140092 Tube Fittings for CF Cells, SS316, 3/8 inch
$113.91
1149417 Concentrate/Back Pressure Control Valve Assembly, 0-100 PSI, 1/4" NPT Inlet, 3/8" Compression Outlet
$486.64
1149420 Pressure Gauge with "T" Fitting, 1500 psi, 3/8" Compression
$282.27
1149421 Needle Valve with "T" fitting, 3/8" Compression
$215.55
1200013 Concentrate/Back Pressure Control Valve Assembly, 0-1000PSI, 1/4" NPT Inlet, 3/8" Compression Outlet
$738.97
1200332 Pressure Relief Valve Assembly (200-1500 PSI), 3/8" Compression
$686.25
1200507 Pressure Relief Valve Assembly (200-1500 PSI), 1/2" Compression
$686.25
1200540 Heat Exchanger, 2.5 ft2 Effective Area, 280 BTU/hr F, Rated to 1200PSI
$3,098.38
1200559 Skid Mounting Kit for Heat Exchanger
$98.94
1230067 Conical Feed Tank, 5.0 Gallon (19 liter) Stainless Steel, includes Stainless Steel Lid and "T" fitting for assembly to pump
$2,236.84
1240312 VFD, Control Techniques, S100 Series, 230V, 1/3Ph, 7.5A (Includes Sterlitech Cover)
$563.39
1240313 VFD, Control Techniques, S100 Series, 120V, 1Ph, 6A (Includes Sterlitech Cover)
$777.62
1240337 M-03X Hydracell, 3.1 GPM, includes 230V, 50Hz, 3 PH motor, mounted to base
$6,530.98
1201805 Analog Flowmeter Assembly, 1.0 GPM, PP Body, 316SS Float, 3/8" Compression, 10LF PP tubing
$272.76
1201806 Analog Flowmeter Assembly, 3.0 GPM, PP Body, 316SS Float, 3/8" Compression, 10LF Nylon tubing
$272.76
1200498 Analog Flowmeter Assembly, 5.0 GPM, PP Body, 316SS Float, 1/2" Compression, 10LF PP tubing
$272.76

Frequently Asked Questions

General Cross Flow Cell Specifications:

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.

Reference: Understanding Variation of Experimental Flux and Rejection

lease refer to the following diagram to examine recommended feed flow rates for the crossflow cell you are working with.

 

Feed spacers are used to mimic the hydrodynamic conditions of large-scale membrane modules by changing the flow regime and creating turbulence inside the feed channel of our membrane test cells.   

For more information on feed spacers incorporated into our test cells, please visit here.

The “mil” measurement represents 1/1000th of an inch. Therefore, the thicknesses are 0.017, 0.031, 0.047, 0.065 inches (17, 31, 47, and 65 mil, accordingly). 

Permeate carriers, also known as “permeate water carriers” are aids that are installed between two layers of the flat sheet membranes in a spiral wound element. The main application of this collection layer is to prevent the membrane layers from closing in on each other under high-pressure operations and also facilitate the collection of permeate water. 

 

The Sterlitech bench-scale crossflow test cells are available in a variety of materials to suit most applications:

  • Stainless Steel
  • PTFE
  • HastelloyTM
  • Delrin (natural acetal copolymer)
  • Acrylic

Addtionally, there are a variety of available o-ring seals including Buna-N, EPDM, Viton, FEP encapsulated Viton, and FFKM (Markez).

 

Video Link

Yes, you may attempt to reuse flat sheet membranes. However, you may find it difficult to achieve a leak free seal. The cell body o-rings necessarily compress the membrane during installation and the physical action of separating the membrane from the o-rings during removal may cause damage. This damage can impede that ability to achieve a leak free seal when the membrane is reused.

Sterlitech recommends to install all plastic fittings by hand using PTFE tape. If a plastic NPT or compression fitting starts to leak during operational testing, tighten the fitting carefully until the leaking stops. Excessive tightening may break the fitting or damage other components.

If the fittings is broken and stuck in the cell top, use a spiral flute extractor bit or similar tool to release the portion of the fitting in the cell top. If the cell top becomes cracked from removal efforts, a replacement can be purchased.

Sterlitech crossflow test cells (Sepa® CF, CF042, and CF016) operate in true crossflow filtration mode, meaning the feed flows tangentially across the membrane and produces both a permeate stream and a concentrate (retentate) stream. These systems allow continuous operation, with user-controlled pressure and crossflow rate, and enable ongoing sampling from both streams during testing.

The HP4750 Stirred Cell, by comparison, is a sealed batch filtration device (up to 300 mL feed volume) typically pressurized with compressed gas. It runs in normal-flow (dead-end) mode and does not have a concentrate stream. A stir bar helps reduce concentration polarization and simulates crossflow-like mixing at the membrane surface, but it is not true crossflow.

During high-pressure filtration processes, the membrane sheet inside the cell may deflect outwards into the feed channel.  This occurs due to variations in pressure during operation. This movement can cause rubbing against O-rings which can result in abrasion, possibility rupture, in the membrane sheet. Therefore, a piece of material (shim) can also be placed between the membrane layer and the test cell to take up the free space and help to prevent movement.   

For more information on shims incorporated into our test cells, please visit here

Frequently Asked Questions

General Cross Flow Cell Specifications:

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.

Reference: Understanding Variation of Experimental Flux and Rejection

lease refer to the following diagram to examine recommended feed flow rates for the crossflow cell you are working with.

 

Feed spacers are used to mimic the hydrodynamic conditions of large-scale membrane modules by changing the flow regime and creating turbulence inside the feed channel of our membrane test cells.   

For more information on feed spacers incorporated into our test cells, please visit here.

The “mil” measurement represents 1/1000th of an inch. Therefore, the thicknesses are 0.017, 0.031, 0.047, 0.065 inches (17, 31, 47, and 65 mil, accordingly). 

Permeate carriers, also known as “permeate water carriers” are aids that are installed between two layers of the flat sheet membranes in a spiral wound element. The main application of this collection layer is to prevent the membrane layers from closing in on each other under high-pressure operations and also facilitate the collection of permeate water. 

 

The Sterlitech bench-scale crossflow test cells are available in a variety of materials to suit most applications:

  • Stainless Steel
  • PTFE
  • HastelloyTM
  • Delrin (natural acetal copolymer)
  • Acrylic

Addtionally, there are a variety of available o-ring seals including Buna-N, EPDM, Viton, FEP encapsulated Viton, and FFKM (Markez).

 

Video Link

Yes, you may attempt to reuse flat sheet membranes. However, you may find it difficult to achieve a leak free seal. The cell body o-rings necessarily compress the membrane during installation and the physical action of separating the membrane from the o-rings during removal may cause damage. This damage can impede that ability to achieve a leak free seal when the membrane is reused.

Sterlitech recommends to install all plastic fittings by hand using PTFE tape. If a plastic NPT or compression fitting starts to leak during operational testing, tighten the fitting carefully until the leaking stops. Excessive tightening may break the fitting or damage other components.

If the fittings is broken and stuck in the cell top, use a spiral flute extractor bit or similar tool to release the portion of the fitting in the cell top. If the cell top becomes cracked from removal efforts, a replacement can be purchased.

Sterlitech crossflow test cells (Sepa® CF, CF042, and CF016) operate in true crossflow filtration mode, meaning the feed flows tangentially across the membrane and produces both a permeate stream and a concentrate (retentate) stream. These systems allow continuous operation, with user-controlled pressure and crossflow rate, and enable ongoing sampling from both streams during testing.

The HP4750 Stirred Cell, by comparison, is a sealed batch filtration device (up to 300 mL feed volume) typically pressurized with compressed gas. It runs in normal-flow (dead-end) mode and does not have a concentrate stream. A stir bar helps reduce concentration polarization and simulates crossflow-like mixing at the membrane surface, but it is not true crossflow.

During high-pressure filtration processes, the membrane sheet inside the cell may deflect outwards into the feed channel.  This occurs due to variations in pressure during operation. This movement can cause rubbing against O-rings which can result in abrasion, possibility rupture, in the membrane sheet. Therefore, a piece of material (shim) can also be placed between the membrane layer and the test cell to take up the free space and help to prevent movement.   

For more information on shims incorporated into our test cells, please visit here

Ask An Expert

As an industry leader focused in unique micro and sub-micron filtration products, our goal is to support our customers by keeping them at the forefront of their industries. We're here to help with any filtration questions you might have so you can transform your ideas into reality, and tackle those big science challenges. Feel free to reach out using the form below, our experts are ready to serve.