Flow-cell assembly including a modular flow-cell unit

1 . A modular flow-cell unit, comprising:

a mechanical fixing interface configured for receiving a further modular flow-cell unit; and

a fluid interface configured for receiving fluid from the further modular flow-cell unit or for transferring fluid to the further modular flow-cell unit,

wherein the mechanical fixing interface comprises a lateral plate having a protruding edge, wherein a connection element is insertable into the protruding edge and encloses the protruding edge and the lateral plate,

wherein the lateral plate is formed on a face of the flow-cell unit where a sample inlet and/or a sample outlet for the fluid is located, and

wherein the sample inlet is configured to be connectable to a sample outlet of the further modular flow-cell unit and the sample outlet is configured to be connectable to a sample inlet of the further modular flow-cell unit, wherein the lateral plate is configured for laterally abutting with the further modular flow-cell unit when the further modular flow-cell unit is received by the mechanical fixing interface.

2 . The modular flow-cell unit according to claim 1 , wherein the lateral plate has at least two narrow sides, and wherein one of the two narrow sides of the lateral plate comprises a spring-loaded pin configured for fixing a connection element to the modular flow-cell unit when the connection element is moved over the protruding edge.

3 . The modular flow-cell unit according to claim 1 , wherein the modular flow-cell unit is a sensor flow-cell unit comprising a fitting that is configured to receive a sensor.

4 . The modular flow-cell unit according to claim 3 , wherein the sensor flow-cell unit comprises a sensor for sensing one of: a pH concentration, an Oxidation-Reduction Potential, a chlorine concentration, or a dissolved oxygen concentration.

5 . The modular flow-cell unit according to claim 1 , wherein the modular flow-cell unit is a flow control module comprising a flow control arrangement or a sensor module.

6 . The modular flow-cell unit according to claim 5 , wherein the flow control arrangement comprises:

a control valve;

a grab sample port; and

an out-of-sample float switch.

7 . The modular flow-cell unit according to claim 1 , wherein the modular flow-cell unit is one of:

a pump unit configured to add additional chemicals into the fluid, mixing of such chemicals, and/or monitor fluid usage;

a valve unit configured to control valves;

a filtration unit configured to filtrate the fluid and/or to perform filter diagnostic functions;

an energy harvesting unit configured to generate electricity from a sample flow;

a chlorine zero calibration unit configured to remove chlorine from the fluid for calibrating a chlorine sensor;

a verification unit configured to calibrate and check an optical sensor; and

a temperature control unit configured to control the temperature of the sample flowing through the modular flow-cell unit.

8 . A flow-cell assembly, comprising:

a first modular flow-cell unit and a second modular flow-cell unit, each modular flow-cell unit comprising:

a mechanical fixing interface configured for receiving a further modular flow-cell unit; and

a fluid interface configured for receiving fluid from the further modular flow-cell unit or for transferring fluid to the further modular flow-cell unit,

wherein the mechanical fixing interface comprises a lateral plate having a protruding edge, wherein a connection element is insertable into the protruding edge and encloses the protruding edge and the lateral plate,

wherein the lateral plate is formed on a face of the flow-cell unit where a sample inlet and/or a sample outlet for the fluid is located, and

wherein the sample inlet is configured to be connectable to a sample outlet of the further modular flow-cell unit and the sample outlet is configured to be connectable to a sample inlet of the further modular flow-cell unit, wherein the lateral plate is configured for laterally abutting with the further modular flow-cell unit when the further modular flow-cell unit is received by the mechanical fixing interface, and

wherein the first modular flow-cell unit and the second modular flow-cell unit are connectable to each other for providing a common flow of a sample through the first modular flow-cell unit and the second modular flow-cell, wherein the flow-cell assembly comprises a connection element for mechanically fixing the first modular flow-cell unit and the second modular flow-cell unit together.

9 . The flow-cell assembly according to claim 8 , wherein the flow-cell assembly further comprises a connection element for mechanically fixing the first and second modular flow-cell units together.

10 . The flow-cell assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the connection element is a rectangular U-shaped bracket including a slow running along an inner side of the rectangular U-shaped bracket for receiving protruding edges of adjacent plates of the first and second modular flow-cell units and grooves recesses or holes on opposite sides of the “U” for receiving the spring-loaded pin.

11 . The flow-cell assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the connection element has a keyhole shaped mounting hole for attaching removable the flow-cell assembly to a wall.

12 . The flow-cell assembly according to claim 9 , wherein the connection element comprises a slot allowing the connection element to slide over the mechanical fixing interface of two adjacent flow control units to hold two modular flow-cell units together.