Tips and Tricks for Specifying Flowcells

Tips and Tricks for Specifying Flowcells

The Hamilton Flowcell and Flowcell XL offer multiple combinations for sensor installation, piping connections, and o-ring seals. This Knowledgebase article explores some common questions that occur when using these products.

What are the differences between these two styles of flowcells?

The main differences include the piping connections, internal volume, sensor mounting options.

The Flowcell (242585-xxx) has an internal volume of 8 mL and is designed around smaller TC25 and Swagelok tubing connections. As the name suggests, the Flowcell XL (242590-xxx) is a bigger flowcell with an internal volume of 25 mL. It uses the TC50 piping connections.

Both products can be specified with either a single or dual sensor measuring position. In cases where only a single sensor is mounted the second sensor location will be sealed off using a blind plug.

Which sensors can be used with each flowcell design?

All flowcells are designed around 120mm length sensors. The positions are optimized based on the requirements for sensor insertion. Please note that measurements which rely on an electrical field require special considerations in flowcells. Open geometry conductivity sensors such as the Conducell 4UxF can see measurement errors when mounted in flowcells thus may require calibration at-line within the flowcell. Furthermore sensors such as Incyte Arc should not be used in flowcells.
 

* NOTE I: Conducell UPW is compatible with only the TC connection versions of the Flowcell (242585-xxx)

** NOTE II: Dencytee Optical Cell Density sensor is only compatible with the larger Flowcell XL (242590-xxx)

*** NOTE III: All Conducell 4UxF should be calibrated within the flowcell for best accuracy. The Arc Conducell 4UxF is not compatible with the Flowcell (242585-xxx). It works best with the larger Flowcell XL (242590-xxx).

How do you mount the flowcell?

All flowcells are designed for wall / panel mount and ship with M4 hex head mounting screws. Refer each flowcell’s dimensional drawings for hole spacing.

The flowcell should be mounted with the sensors vertically positioned with the tip facing towards the ground. The liquid inlet flow should come from the lower port and exit the side of the flowcell. This ensures self draining when the flowcell is removed from service.

What are the dimensions of the Tri Clamp connections?

For Tri Clamp connections Hamilton follows ASME BPE standards. Refer to the table below for the flange and inner diameter measurements of the fitting.

Example images - (Left) End fitting options for the Flowcell (242585-xxx) and (Right) cut away showing how Flange O.D. and Inner Diameter

Can I use the Wi 1G / 2G Wireless BT adapters with a dual sensor flowcell?

Wi 1G (243460) and Wi 2G (243470) Wireless BT Adapters are larger diameter than our sensors. The adapters are very close to each other when both sensors are mounted in the flowcell but will not impact each other.

What spare parts kits are needed for the flowcells?

Spare parts for Flowcells with the Tri Clamp connections are listed below. Flowcells with Swagelok connections should not be disassembled due to the potential for leakage. For any other spare parts please consult Hamilton Technical Support.

Dummy sensors are used to fill position 1 or 2 on the flowcell while the measuring sensor is removed for cleaning, calibration, or replacement.

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