C-Flow LAB 1x1 User manual

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C-Flow® LAB 1x1
Instruction Manual

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Table of Contents
1Introduction....................................................................................................................3
2Safety .............................................................................................................................4
3Unpacking.......................................................................................................................4
4Specifications ..................................................................................................................5
5Assembly Instructions .....................................................................................................6
6Parts List and Exploded View ...........................................................................................7
7Troubleshooting..............................................................................................................9
8Cleaning..........................................................................................................................9
9Templates .......................................................................................................................9
10 Other C-Flow Products ..................................................................................................10
11 Disclaimer .....................................................................................................................11

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1Introduction
C-Flow® LAB 1x1 has been designed for general purpose laboratory electrochemical work. This
includes research and development, electrochemical reaction study, and the development of
electrodes, electrolytes and membranes.
A stand is provided to make assembly quick and easy. The use of the stand is shown in the on-line
video demonstration. The unit is designed for ease of use and no tools are required for assembly.
The cell comes equipped with a set of electrodes but it is designed so that you can fit your own
electrodes very easily. Templates are provided so that you can cut your own gaskets and
membranes.
C-Flow® LAB 1x1 has been designed based on our long experience of electrochemical R&D. We are
constantly improving our products and we welcome any feedback or suggestions you have about
C-Flow® LAB 1x1.

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2Safety
C-Flow® LAB 1x1 weighs 1.25 kg when assembled and precautions should be taken to avoid injuries
to feet if the unit is accidentally dropped. Safety shoes should be worn when unpacking, assembling,
disassembling or moving the cell.
The user should carry out a risk assessment before using the C-Flow® LAB 1x1. This should include
a COSHH assessment for the substances under test. Suitable Personal Protective Equipment should
be worn and other suitable measures taken to control the risk of exposure to substances hazardous
to health.
Due to risk of chemical release at pressure, it is recommended that the user measure the pressure
at the entrance to the cell and restrict the liquid flow rate so that the pressure does not exceed 1
bar (gauge). The user should check the pressure rating of any tubing or fittings used with the cell
(not provided). It is recommended that the cell be checked for leaks with a non-hazardous substance
(e.g. water) every time it is reassembled. It is the responsibility of the user to complete a risk
assessment for all aspects of use.
3Unpacking
C-Flow® LAB 1x1 is shipped already assembled but not tightened. It is recommended that the cell
be dismantled and reassembled before use. This will familiarise the user with its construction and
to allow user to make changes to the cell set-up e.g. addition of membrane (not provided).
Take care when unpacking the cell to avoid dropping it and causing damage or injury.

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4Specifications
Height
110 mm
Width
100 mm with fittings
Depth
150 mm with fittings
Weight
1.25 kg
End plates
304 stainless steel
Electrode gap
10 mm
Electrode dimensions
20 mm x 20 mm for working electrode area of 10 mm x 10 mm
Electrode material
carbon supplied as standard
Current collectors
brass
Electrolyte ports
PEEK
Reference electrode blanks
PEEK
Cell Frames
CPVC
Gasket material
EPDM
Membrane material
not supplied
Electrode gasket material
expanded EPDM
O-rings
EPDM
Stand
polypropylene
Gasket templates
stainless steel
Maximum applied voltage
10 V
Operating temperature
up to 80°C
Throughput
depending on fluid properties
Pressure
up to 1 bar (g)

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5Assembly Instructions
Place Stand with triangular base on a work surface with wide end towards user.
Place Back Frame (plastic block, not the metal Back Plate) O-Ring groove side down
onto inner notch on Stand.
Carefully fit Electrode Gasket into recess of Back Frame and then fit Electrode,
ensuring that the Electrode Gasket stays in place. Current Collector, Insulating Disc,
Insulating Sleeve.
Place Back Plate over the Back Frame, feet towards user, threaded rods passing
through the Back Frame. Screw Electrode Pressure Knob into Back Plate, knurled ring
to rear of Back Plate, until it just touches the Electrode Assembly.
Pick up the whole sub-assembly, turn it over, place it on the Stand. Fit O-Ring (note
that the O-Ring grooves on the two Frames are of different sizes, with O-Rings to
match, so take care to match the two O-rings to the grooves.
Optional - Fit Membrane Gasket, Membrane and second Membrane Gasket. The
purpose of the Membrane Gaskets is to locate a Membrane, if used.
Fit O-Ring into face of Front Frame and fit the Front Frame over the threaded rods.
Fit the Electrode Gasket into recess and fit the Electrode ensuring that the Electrode
Gasket stays in place
Place brass Current Collector onto Electrode. Fit Insulating Disc and Insulating Sleeve
onto the Current Collector.
Place Front Plate over the threaded rods.
Fit Electrode Pressure Knob. Loose fit only –knob just touching collector
Fit Insulating Disc, then Washers, then Terminal Knob.
Fit four Thumb Nuts loosely –do not tighten fully
Take the unit off the stand and rest it on its feet to ensure that frames are aligned
Tighten the four corner Thumb Nuts, bit by bit, opposite corners together.
Finally tighten the two Electrode Pressure Knobs
Fit Electrode Ports and Reference Electrode Ports as required. Use Teflon tape for a
good seal. If reference electrodes are not used then fit Reference Electrode Port Plugs.
The cell is now complete.

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6Parts List and Exploded View
Item
Description
Quantity
1
Stand
1
2
Terminal Knob
2
3
Washer
4
4
Insulating Disc
2
5
Insulating Sleeve
2
6
Electrode Pressure Knob
2
7
Back Plate
1
8
Current Collector
2
9
Electrode
2
10
Electrode Gasket
2
11
Reference Electrode Port Plug
2
12
Electrode Port 1/8”
4
13
Electrode Port 1/16”
2
14
Back Frame
1
15
O Ring ID 40.95 Dia 2.62
1
16
Membrane Gasket
2
17
Membrane (not supplied)
-
18
O Ring ID 50.47 Dia 2.62
1
19
Front Frame
1
20
Front Plate
1
21
Thumb Nut
4
22
Membrane Template
1
23
Membrane Gasket Template
1
24
Electrode Gasket Template
1

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7Troubleshooting
Leaks
Check for leaks with water. If there are leaks then disassemble, check all components and
reassemble. Take care to ensure that Electrode Gaskets and O-Rings are in place and that the
frames are square when tightening the thumb nuts.
Check O-Rings in place
Check Membrane Gaskets in place
Check no foreign bodies or dirt on gaskets of faces of Cell Frames
Check Electrode Gaskets are in place. Replace if worn or torn
Check Electrolyte Ports are tight with Teflon Tape
Check Reference Electrode Port is tight and blanked off if not in use
Poor Flow Rate
Check piping not kinked
Poor Electrical Contact
Check Current Collector face is clean and bright. Use solvent and or gentle abrasive
Check rear-side of electrode is clean. Use solvent and gentle abrasive if not
Check Electrical Connectors are tightened
8Cleaning
After use the cell should be thoroughly flushed with water and disassembled and dried.
All components can be cleaned with detergent or ethanol or isopropyl alcohol.
Periodically check the Electrodes for degradation. Clean them and replace if necessary.
The brass current collectors should be cleaned periodically to ensure good electrical contact with
the electrodes. Keep the brass bright with fine abrasive and detergent.
9Templates
A template is provided for users to cut both Electrode Gaskets and Membranes.

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10 Other C-Flow Products
C-Flow LAB 5x5 is a hand-assembled laboratory
electrochemical cell with a 50 mm x 50 mm electrode area.
It is an ideal general purpose electrochemical cell for
research and development purposes.
C-Flow PLT is a modular pilot plant that offers very high flow
rates and flexibility of operation. It is perfect for
electrochemical process development in industry or
academia.
A wide variety of electrochemical processes can be carried
out on C-Flow PLT, including the treatment of dilute systems
(e.g. waste water), chemical synthesis, viscous liquids or
particulate containing liquids, and systems requiring high
volumetric flows.
C-Flow PRD is our production scale electrochemical system.
Its individual cells give flexibility of operation and of scale-up.
It can be customised to suit a wide range of electro-chemical
applications, from treatment of waste waters to synthesis of
electrolytes and fine chemicals.

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11 Disclaimer
Care has been taken in the preparation of this manual to give instructions of relevance to normal
use of the product. All advice, analysis, calculations, information, forecasts and recommendations
are supplied for the assistance of the user and are not to be relied on as a substitution for the
exercise of judgement by the user. C-Tech Innovation Ltd does not accept liability for any direct or
consequential loss arising from use of this manual or its contents and gives no warranty or
representation (express or implied) as to the fitness for the purpose of any process, material,
product or system referred to in the manual.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or otherwise, or stored in any
retrieval system of any nature without the written permission of the copyright holder.

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C-Tech Innovation Ltd
Capenhurst Technology Park
Capenhurst
Chester
UK
CH1 6EH
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]
www.ctechinnovation.com