Overview

General Description

VAC Atmospheres glovebox is located in Birck 1077. The glovebox was inherited from the Prof. Don Bergstrom. It was not operational, and was extensively inspected and repaired before being put into use. The repairs included: (1) inspections and replacement of solenoid valves; (2) replacement of hose connections for gases; (3) installation of gas inlets and feedthrough; (4) replacement of the vacuum pump and vacuum tubing (oil free pump); (5) addition of a oxygen sensor, and (6) thorough cleaning. After three regeneration cycles, the glovebox was deemed operational. 

Introduction to the Glovebox

Glovebox is an instrument that allows convenient manipulations of materials in an atmosphere of an inert gas, most commonly nitrogen. Our glovebox is filled with Argon. The glovebox atmosphere is continuously circulated over a bed of catalyst which removes traces of water and oxygen. The catalyst is a combination of copper-based particles (that remove oxygen) and molecular sieves (that remove water). The catalyst needs to be regenerated periodically; this is done by a staff.

The glovebox is generally used for the manipulation of air- and water-sensitive materials. Manipulations inside the glovebox differ very little from their counterparts outside of it: handling of materials is done using thick butyl gloves and the common operations of stirring, weighing, and refrigerating materials can be easily reproduced. These gloves are the weakest point of the glovebox and its most common source of contamination, since it is very easy to introduce air into the glovebox through small incisions and holes in the gloves. These incisions can be made while handling sharp objects, like spatulas, syringe needles, scissors, etc. The gloves are much thicker than normal nitrile (or latex) gloves, so they will take some getting used to. To protect this "weak spot", wearing nitrile gloves is must over the butyl gloves!

In order to be able to work in the glovebox, you will need to bring materials and equipment into the glovebox without compromising its atmosphere. Consult the staff if you have any questions or doubts. Your only "gate" to the glovebox is the antechambers - large and small cylindrical assemblies on the right-hand side of the box. It has two doors - one that can be opened only from the inside of the box and one that can be opened only from the outside. These two doors should NEVER be open at the same time. Each antechamber also has two valves on it - one connecting it to the vacuum pump (antechamber vacuum valve), and another connecting it to the glovebox (this valve is the source of inert gas for the antechamber). These two valves should also NEVER be open at the same time.

The pressure of the inert gas within the glovebox should always be kept slightly above atmospheric pressure, to avoid contamination by back-sucking air into the glovebox. The glovebox regulates its pressure automatically. For quick manual adjustments of glovebox pressure, you can use its pedatrol - a foot pedal which is lying on the floor and which allows quick control over the glovebox pressure. If you see that the pressure is too high (it is easy to feel, gloves "oppose" you) press the left pedatrol button to decrease it ("low"). If the pressure is too low (gloves are hanging down or are sucked inside the box) then press the right button to increase it. Obviously, do not press both buttons at the same time. Actually, the pedatrol option is a seldom used. It is recommended just slow insert or extract the gloves to or out the box and the pressure will adjusted automatically.

Specifications

PURIFICATION: Mounted on the left side of box
• Single speed blower
• Single purifier
• Manual isolation valves
• Less than 1PPM O2, H2O
CONTROLS: 
• Automated: purifier regeneration, lab pressure, lab purge (manual
exhaust valve), system diagnostics
ANTECHAMBERS: Manual valves, Aluminum
• Mini antechamber - 5" dia.
• Main antechamber - 16' dia.  
VACUUM PUMP: dry pump
ANALYZERS: • Oxygen – LCD Display, optional audio alarm

Sample Requirements and Preparation

Standard Operating Procedure

Questions & Troubleshooting

Process Library

References