Antec Scientific FlexCell User manual

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Antec Scientific
Industrieweg 12
2382 NV Zoeterwoude
The Netherlands
FlexCellTM
Electrochemical flow cell
User manual
102.0010A, Edition 9, 2017

Copyright ©2016, Antec Scientific, The Netherlands. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in
any form or by any means (including electronic storage and retrieval or translation into a foreign language)
without prior agreement and written consent from the copyright of the owner. Information in this publication
is subject to change and does not represent a commitment on the part of Antec Scientific. Antec Scientific
reserves the right to make changes to the design and specifications of the instrument and the contents of
this manual without prior notice.
ROXY, ALEXYS, DECADE, DECADE II, DECADE Elite, DECADE Lite, INTRO, FlexCell, ReactorCell,
ISAAC, HyREF, SenCell and SynthesisCell are trademarks of Antec Scientific. Whatman™ (word and
device) and Whatrnan™ (word only) are trademarks of Whatman lnternational Ltd. SOLVENT IFD™ and
AQUEOUS IFD™ are trademarks of Arbor Tech-nologies, Inc. Clarity®, DataApex® are trademarks of
DataApex Ltd. Microsoft® and Windows™ are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Excel is a registered
trademark of the Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
The software and the information provided herein is believed to be reliable. Antec Scientific shall not be
liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the
furnishing, performance, or use of this software or this manual. All use of the software shall be entirely at the
user’s own risk.

. 1
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Symbols
The following symbols are used in this guide:
The warning sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a
procedure or practice which, if not adhered to, could result
in severe injuryor damage or destruction of parts or all of
the equipment. Do not proceed beyond a warning sign until
the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
The caution sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a
procedure or practice which, if not adhered to, could result
in damage or destruction of parts or all of the equipment
and/or erratic results. Do not proceed beyond a cautions
sign until the indicated conditions are fullyunderstood and
met.
The biohazard sign draws attention to the fact that use
of biological materials, viral samples may carry a signifi-
cant health risk.
The toxic hazard sign draws attention to the fact that use
of toxic solvents or samples may carrya significant
health risk.
The attention sign signals relevant information. Read this
information, as it might be helpful.
The note sign signals additional information. It provides
advice or a suggestion that may support you in using the
equipment.

2 FlexCell user manual, edition 9
Intended use
The FlexCell is used in combination with an Antec Scientific Electrochemical
Detector (for example DECADE, INTRO, DECADE II or DECADE Elite/Lite in
(Ultra) High Performance Liquid Chromatography for the electrochemical
detection of suitable analytes in liquid samples. (U)HPLC is a method for
separating substance mixtures, determining substances and measuring their
concentration.
Electrochemical detection is a specific measuring technique with which the
amount of electroactive substances in a liquid sample can be quantified. This
technique can be used for the chromatographic analysis of a wide range of
electroactive analytes in the fields of for example:
•Biochemistry/bioanalytical analyses
•Chiral analyses
•Food analyses
•Environmental analyses
•Clinical analyses (research purpose only)
Operation of the flow cell may involve the use of hazardous materials
including corrosive, toxic or flammable liquids. The flow cell should only be
used by end-users with the following expertise:
•Completed degree as chemical laboratorytechnician or comparable
vocational training
•Fundamental knowledge of liquid chromatography
•Participation in an installation of the system performed bythe
manufacturer or a companyauthorized bythe manufacturer and
suitable training on the system and chromatography software.
•Knowledge and experience in the safe handling of toxic and
corrosive chemicals and knowledge of the application of fire
prevention measures prescribed for laboratories.
Information on safety practices are provided in the user manual and/or quick
start guides. Before using your flow cell or accessories, you must thoroughly
read the manual and safety practices. This manual is written for trained
laboratory technicians who use the flow cell in combination with an
electrochemical detector for (U)HPLC analysis.
For research purpose only. While clinical applications may be shown,
this instrument is not tested by the manufacturer to comply with the In
Vitro Diagnostics Directive.

. 3
WEEE directive
All equipment of Antec Scientific which are subjected to the WEEE directive
shipped after August 13, 2005 are compliant with the WEEE marking
requirements. Such products are labelled with the “crossed out wheelie”,
depicted on the left site.
Shipping address for the end-of-life products:
Antec Scientific
Industrieweg 12
2382NV Zoeterwoude
The Netherlands
In case of questions, or if further information is required about the collection
& recycling procedure, please contact your local distributor.
Unskilled, improper, or careless use of this products can create
hazards which could result in personal injury, death or severe damage
to equipment and property. Observe all relevant safety practices at all
times. Only use the device for applications that fall within the scope of
the specified intended use.
The symbol on the product indicates that the product must not be
disposed as unsorted municipality waste.
Collection & recycling information
Please ship the instrument back to the manufacturer (Antec Scientific,
the Netherlands) at the end-of-life time of the product. The
manufacturer will take care of the proper disposal and recycling of the
instrument at its facilities.

4 FlexCell user manual, edition 9
Safety instructions
Adhere to the following guidelines when using the electrochemical flow cell.
These safety practices are intended to ensure safe operation.
This hardware should be used by trained laboratory personnel only
with a completed degree as chemical laboratory technician or
comparable vocational training. The operator should have fundamental
knowledge of liquid chromatography.
Use proper eye and skin protection when working with solvents.
Additional safety requirements or protection may be necessary
depending on the chemicals used in combination with this equipment.
Make sure that you understand the hazards associated with the
chemicals used and take appropriate measures with regards to safety
and protection.
Working environment & safety
The intended use of the flow cell is to detect electroactive substances in
liquid samples in combination with a (U) HPLC-ECD system in a laboratory
environment. Operators using the system should have the appropriate
education an extensive understanding of (U)HPLC and electrochemical
detection and be skilled in the art.
Using the flow cell in other ways than indicated in the manual or
defined by good laboratory practice may result in erratic or unsafe
operation.

. 5
Operation
To assure optimal performance keep of the flow cell we recommend that the
cell is checked regularlyand maintenance procedures are carried out.
Preventive maintenance contracts and a factorycell refurbish service are
available for that Purpose. Please contact your local dealer for more
information.
Solvents
The solvents used maybe flammable, toxic or corrosive. The room in which
the flow cell and system is installed should be well ventilated to prevent that
solvent vapors cause poisoning or ignite and cause a fire. Use of open fire in
the vicinityof this flow cell and system must be strictlyprohibited. Do not
install the flow cell and system in the same room with anyother equipment
that emits or could potentiallyemit sparks. Provide protective equipment near
the instrument, when solvent gets into the eyes or on the skin, it must be
flushed away immediately. Provide equipment, such eye wash stations and
safety showers, as close to system as possible.
Use proper eye and skin protection when working with solvents. Additional
safety requirements or protection may be necessarydepending on the
chemicals used in combination with this equipment. Make sure that you
understand the hazards associated with the chemicals used and take
appropriate measures with regards to safety and protection.
Sample containers (vials) should be sealed to minimize any risks related to
solvent vapor.
Biological Hazard
When you analyze biological fluids you need possible precautions and treat
all specimens as potentially infectious. Always wear protective
And gloves when handling toxic or biologically infectious samples to prevent
bio hazards or hazards while working with the flow cell. If necessary the flow
cell must be decontaminated before decommissioning or shipment of the cell
for repair to Antec Scientific or its representatives. When shipped to Antec
Scientific every cell has to be accompanied with a decontamination form
which should be completely filled in and signed by the customer. Without this
decontamination form the flow cell will not be processed by Antec Scientific
(either repaired or disposed).
Waste disposal
Perform periodic leak checks on LC tubing and connections. Do not close or
block the drain in the oven compartment. Do not allow flammable and/or
toxic solvents to accumulate. Follow a regulated, approved waste

6 FlexCell user manual, edition 9
Disposal program. Never dispose of flammable and/ toxic solvents through
the municipal sewage system.
Applications: quality control
It is recommended that you routinelyrun several quality control samples.
Qualitycontrol samples should represent low, average and high levels of a
compound. Make sure that quality control sample results are within
An acceptable range, and evaluate precision from day to dayand run to run.
Data collected when quality control samples are out of range may not be
valid. Do not report this data until you are certain that system
Performance is acceptable. Apart from use of quality control samples, we
Recommend that you use blanks. The blanks will help you assess whether
carry-over is within an acceptable range and monitor the integrity of your
data.
Laboratory regulations
Observe national and international regulations pertaining to laboratorywork!
For example:
•Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) of the American Food & Drug
Administration
•For development of methods and validation of devices:
•Protocol for the Adoption of Analytical Methods in the
•Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, American Journal of Medical
Technology, 44, 1, pages 30–37 (1978)
•Accident prevention regulations published bythe accident insurance
companies for laboratory work
Spare parts and service availability
Manufacturer provides operational spare parts of the instrument and current
accessories for a period of five years after shipment of the final production
run of the instrument. Spare parts will be available after this five years period
on an ‘as available’ basis.
Manufacturer provides a variety of services to support her customers after
warranty expiration. Repair service can be provided on a time and material
basis. Contact your local supplier for servicing. Technical support and training
can be provided by qualified chemists on both contractual or as-needed
basis.

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Table of contents
Symbols...............................................................................................1
Safety instructions...............................................................................4
Spare parts and service availability.....................................................6
Table of contents.................................................................................7
CHAPTER 1.................................................................................................9
The electrochemical flow cell........................................................................9
Introduction..........................................................................................9
The three-electrode configuration.......................................................9
Requirements and limitations ...........................................................11
Working electrodes...........................................................................11
Reference electrode: HyREF™ ........................................................13
Reference electrode: salt bridge Ag/AgCl........................................14
Reference electrode: ISAAC™ .........................................................15
CHAPTER 2...............................................................................................17
General precautions.....................................................................................17
CHAPTER 3...............................................................................................18
Installation.....................................................................................................18
Connecting a FlexCell to an LC system ...........................................18
CHAPTER 4...............................................................................................20
Maintenance..................................................................................................20
Disassembly of the flow cell..............................................................20
Working electrode cleaning ..............................................................22
Polishing a working electrode...........................................................22
Flattening a metal working electrode................................................23
HyREF & ISAAC reference electrodes.............................................23
Salt bridge Ag/AgCl reference electrode..........................................23
Salt bridge Ag/AgCl reference electrode check................................24
Refilling a salt bridge Ag/AgCl reference electrode..........................25
Refritting a salt bridge Ag/AgCl reference electrode........................26
Assembly of the flow cell...................................................................27
Storage..............................................................................................28

8 FlexCell user manual, edition 9
CHAPTER 5...............................................................................................29
Specifications................................................................................................29
CHAPTER 6...............................................................................................30
Part list...........................................................................................................30