EL-CELL PAT-Cell-Press User manual

© 2022 EL-Cell GmbH
User Manual
Release 1.46
PAT-Cell-Press
Electrochemical test cell

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User Manual PAT-Cell-Press
Release 1.46
The information in this manual has been carefully checked and believed to be accurate;
however, no responsibility is assumed for inaccuracies.
EL-Cell GmbH maintains the right to make changes without further notice to prod ucts
described in this manual to improve reliability, function, or design. EL-Cell GmbH does not
assume any liability arising from the use or application of this product.
EL-Cell GmbH
Tempowerkring 8
21079 Hamburg - Germany
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
web: www.el-cell.com

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User Manual PAT-Cell-Press
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Content
1 Product description.................................................................................................................................4
2 Variants .....................................................................................................................................................5
3 Safety precautions...................................................................................................................................5
4 Assembly of the PAT-Cell-Press ...........................................................................................................6
5 Disassembly and cleaning......................................................................................................................8
6 Sample valve with septum port (if installed)......................................................................................9
7 Unpacking ...............................................................................................................................................10
8 Technical data ........................................................................................................................................11
9 Consumables ..........................................................................................................................................11
10 Spare parts ...........................................................................................................................................12
11 Troubleshooting ...................................................................................................................................16
12 Technical support................................................................................................................................16
13 Warranty ...............................................................................................................................................16

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User Manual PAT-Cell-Press
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1Product description
The PAT-Cell-Press is a pressure test cell for measuring gas evolution during the
electrochemical cycle. It is a cableless test cell using the PAT-Core concept. As an option, the
PAT-Cell-Press is also available with a gas sample port for drawing gas.
Features and specifications
▪PAT-Core design with or without reference electrode
▪Laser welded pressure sensor, pressure range of 0 to 3 bar abs (0.5 to 4.5 V)
▪Optional gas sample port
▪Dead volume with PAT-Core installed: 3.565 cm3
▪Helium leak tested*
▪Can be used in single-channel configuration together with the PAT-Stand-1
in combination with the PAT-Press box and in the PAT-Tester-x.
▪Can be used in multi-channel configuration in the PAT-Chamber-16 and PAT-Tester-i-16
*The PAT-Cell-Press has been tested for leakage at the factory. For an empty cell, pressurized with air
through the sample port by means of a syringe, at 2 bar absolute, at 50°C, the pressure decay after 24
hours is guaranteed to be less than 0.3 mbar per hour when using a PE seal, and less than 0.1 mbar per
hour when using a PEEK seal.
Gas sample port
Pressure sensor
Pressure sensor
PAT-Cell-Press PAT-Cell-Press S

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2Variants
PAT-Cell-Press
PAT-Cell-Press S
3Safety precautions
Use proper safety precautions when using hazardous electrode materials and electrolytes.
Wear protective glasses and gloves to protect you against electrolyte that may accidentally
spill out during disassembly. Upon cell disassembly, dispose all materials properly. Metallic
lithium and some insertion compounds may decompose heavily in contact with water and
other solvents, and can cause fire.
PAT-Cell-Press
Features
▪Laser welded pressure sensor, 0 to 3 bar abs
PAT-Cell-Press S
Features
▪Laser welded pressure sensor, 0 to 3 bar abs
▪Gas sample port

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4Assembly of the PAT-Cell-Press
This section describes how to assemble the PAT-Cell-Press test cell. A more detailed description of
the PAT-Core can be found in a separate manual.
Note: The assembly has to take place under the protective atmosphere in a glove box.
Screw cap
PE-Seal
Upper plunger
Upper electrode
Electrolyte
Insulation sleeves
Lower electrode
Lower plunger
Cell base

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1. Put the insulation sleeve onto the worktop with the smaller side pointing upwards.
Different insulation sleeves are available for different test purposes, see chapters 6 and 7.
2. Insert the lower electrode into the sleeve with the active layer facing downwards.
3. Attach the lower plunger. The lower plunger is available in different gap sizes in order to
account for the thickness of the electrodes and separator used, see chapters 6 and 7.
4. Turn the assembly upside down.
5. Align the contact spring of the sleeve with the horizontal contact pin inside the cell base.
Then insert the assembly into the cell base.
6. Evenly dispense approx. 100 µL of electrolyte on top of the separator with a pipette.
Note: The optimum amount of electrolyte will depend on the thickness and porosity of the
separator and the electrodes used.
7. Insert the upper electrode into the insulation sleeve with the active layer facing
downwards.
8. Attach the upper plunger.
9. Attach the screw cap to the cell base with the wing nut fully released.
10. Tighten the wing nut clockwise in order to seal the cell

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5Disassembly and cleaning
When working with aprotic, moisture-sensitive electrolytes such as LiPF6, it is best to always
leave the cell base and cell lid in the glove box and only expose the PAT core components to
room air for cleaning or disposal. Note that excess electrolyte may leak from the PAT-Core
and cause contamination in the cell base and on the contact pins. For standard electrodes and
standard separators use 100 µl electrolyte.
If the cell base or lid has been in contact with ambient air or if they are being used for the
first time, they must be dried in a vacuum at 80°C for at least 12 hours before use.
Stainless steel plungers can be cleaned with water, acetone, or ethanol. If necessary, persistent
stains can be removed from the plungers with aqueous nitric acid (20%, 2 hours at room
temperature).
Insulating sleeves made of PP are intended for single use. Insulating sleeves made of PEEK or
PPS can be cleaned with water, acetone, or ethanol and are reusable after careful drying
(120°C, vacuum, >12 hours).
Never immerse the cell base in liquid. In particular, avoid
contact of the electronic components on the bottom of the
cell base with liquid.The two adjacent holes at the top of the
cell base (circeled in the picture below) make connection to
the laser welded pressure sensor located inside the lower
part of the cell base. In order to avoid corrosion, no
liquids must enter these holes during cell assembly, cell
operation and cleaning. Refer to the troubleshooting
section for help, if liquid did get into one of the holes.
Notes:
▪Protect yourself against chemical hazards. Electrolytes
may spill out during cleaning. Electrode materials and
electrolytes may react with ambient atmosphere or
solvents used for cleaning. Wear appropriate protective equipment, goggles, and gloves.
▪Clean all cell parts right after disassembly. Leaving cell par ts in contact with the ambient
atmosphere while still being wetted with electrolytes may result in severe corrosion.
Holes towards the stainless steel
membrane of the laser welded pressure
sensor. Avoid contact with
electrolyte or other liquids!

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6Sample valve with septum port (if installed)
The gas sample valve serves to draw gas samples for further characterization from the head
space of the test cell.
Gas sample port (PAT-Cell-Press)
ECC1-00-0155-C
In the closed state, the valve spindle is seated on the PTFE ferrule and is thus preventing any
bleeding through the pierced septum.
6.1 How to draw gas samples
1. Pierce the septum with a sample syringe appropriate for the subsequent gas analysis with
e.g. a gas chromatograph. We recommend using a syringe with a pencil-point needle in
order to prevent clogging when the septum of the sample port is pierced. A 1 ml syringe
(LAB0024) and a pencil-point needle (LAB0039) are provided with the equipment.
2. Open the valve by turning the valve handle counter-clockwise by approx. 90 degrees
3. Fill the syringe by drawing back the syringe piston.
4. Close the valve by turning the valve handle clockwise till finger tight, and remove the
syringe.
Note: Do not connect the sample port directly or permanentely to an external device.
Valve Seating
PAT-Press
Ferrule 1.0
Valve Stem
Septum Thrust Screw II
Septum

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7Unpacking
Check the contents of the packages against the list given below to verify that you have
received all of the required components. Contact EL-CELL, if anything is missing or damaged.
NOTE: Damaged shipments must remain within the original packaging for freight company
inspection.
List of components
PAT-Cell-Press
▪PAT-Cell-Press without PAT-Core
Note: The PAT-Cell-press is shipped with an inserted PE-Seal serving only as transport
lock. Replace the sealing ring before putting the cell into operation.
The components of the PAT-Core (insulation sleeves and plungers) must be purchased
separately.
▪Sealing ring PEEK (5x) ECC1-00-0232-D/V
▪Sealing ring PE (10x) ECC1-00-0232-A/X
PAT-Cell-Press S
▪PAT-Cell-Press without PAT-Core
Note: The PAT-Cell-press is shipped with an inserted PE-Seal serving only as transport
lock. Replace the sealing ring before putting the cell into operation.
The components of the PAT-Core (insulation sleeves and plungers) must be purchased
separately.
▪Septum (10x) ECC1-00-0097-B/X
▪Syringe 1ml (w/o Luerlock) LAB0024
▪Spinal needle pencil-point (27g) LAB0039
▪Sealing ring PEEK (5x) ECC1-00-0232-D/V
▪Sealing ring PE (10x) ECC1-00-0232-A/X
▪Ferrule 1.0 (2x) ECC1-00-0029-B/2

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8Technical data
▪Diameter: 49.5 mm
▪Height: 73 mm
▪Width: 70 mm / 49.5 mm (with / without Sample port)
▪Electrode diameter: 18 mm
▪Temperature operation range: -20 to +80°C
▪Dead volume: 3.565ml / 8.144 ml ( with inserted PAT-Core / without PAT-Core)
8.1Spring force in relation to the thickness of the upper electrode:
9Consumables
▪Sealing ring PEEK (10x) ECC1-00-0232-D/X
▪Sealing ring PE (100x) ECC1-00-0232-A/C
▪Sealing ring Al (10x) ECC1-00-0232-G/X
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
0200 400 600 800 1000
Spring force applied on cell stack / N
Thickness of upper electrode / µm
Compression spring,
FED9028

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10 Spare parts
Screw cap insulated (PAT), complete
ECC1-00-0236-D

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Cell base GTMS (PAT-Press), assy
ECC1-00-0255-A

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Spring contact pin holder, assy
ECC1-00-0410-A

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Gas sample port (PAT-Press), assy
ECC1-00-0155-C

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11 Troubleshooting
What can I do if electrolyte has entered one of the holes in the cell base?
Please only attempt this in an emergency, as there is a risk of damaging the cell: Flush the
holes with an appropriate solvent (e.g. distilled water) applying low pressure. Afterwards, the
cell base should be dried out overnight at 80° C to remove liquid residues.
12 Technical support
Technical support for this product is exclusively provided by EL-Cell GmbH.
EL-Cell GmbH
Tempowerkring 8
21079 Hamburg - Germany
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
web: www.el-cell.com
13 Warranty
For a period of one year from the date of shipment, EL-Cell GmbH (hereinafter Seller) warrants
the goods to be free from defect in material and workmanship to the original purchaser.
During the warranty period, Seller agrees to repair or replace defective and/or nonconforming
goods or parts without charge for material or labor, or, at the Seller’s option, demand return
of the goods and tender repayment of the price. Buyer’s exclusive remedy is repair or
replacement of defective and nonconforming goods, or, at Seller’s option, the repayment of
the price.
Seller excludes and disclaims any liability for lost profits, personal injury, interruption of
service, or for consequential incidental or special damages arising out of, resulting from, or
relating in any manner to these goods.
This Limited Warranty does not cover defects, damage, or nonconformity resulting from
abuse, misuse, neglect, lack of reasonable care, modification, or the attachment of improper
devices to the goods. This Limited Warranty does not cover expendable items. This warranty is
void when repairs are performed by a non-authorized person or service center. At Seller’s
option, repairs or replacements will be made on site or at the factory. If repairs or
replacements are to be made at the factory, Buyer shall return the goods prepaid and bear all
the risks of loss until delivered to the factory. If Seller returns the goods, they will be delivered

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prepaid and Seller will bear all risks of loss until delivery to Buyer. Buyer and Seller agree that
this Limited Warranty shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of
Germany.
The warranties contained in this agreement are in lieu of all other warranties expressed or
implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
This Limited Warranty supersedes all prior proposals or representations oral or written and
constitutes the entire understanding regarding the warranties made by Seller to Buyer. This
Limited Warranty may not be expanded or modified except in writing signed by the parties
hereto.