What Is Vacuum Glove Box And Its Operation Tips

Laboratory equipment used by researchers and scientists to carry out the operations in the condition of low pressure and non-combative environments. Along with this, there are some operation tips that will help you to know more about the vacuum glove box.

The combination of a vacuum chamber and a glove box is what is known as a vacuum glove box. Inside the main chamber, the objects are transferred through a water-tight which is in turn enclosed with two glove ports. The vacuum pump is responsible for the removal of the gases from the main chamber and instead of the air, argon or nitrogen gas is inserted for Creating an atmosphere that is inert. It is basically a laboratory equipment which is used by the researchers for performing experiments in non-combustible and low-pressure environments where manipulation of the non-harmful substances is required.

Operation Tips For Vacuum Glove Box

1. Regeneration: It is a process where the oxygen and water from the purifier are trapped in the box. It is a simple process during the usage of the glove box and is normally needed at least once every year. After this step comes to the purging of the glove box.

This step is basically required when water and oxygen cannot be further absorbed by the purifier. For this step, at least 150 cu. ft. of the specified gas is needed in the glove box. Half of the gas in the tank of a size 300 will be easily consumed in this process. It means 10-15% of the hydrogen that is used along with the inert gas – argon or nitrogen.

2. Purging: This step is needed under some specific situations when the glove box is being used. If the levels of oxygen or water are over 100 PPM, the purging of the glove box is needed until the levels of water or oxygen drop lower than 100 PPM.

This is a step that is needed after the step of regeneration, where there is a usage of at least one size 300 tank for every workstation. Another situation where the step of purging is needed is when a large quantity of solvent or some chemical inside the  Portable Glove Boxes is present. The circulation during this process should be turned off if there is a planning of using the solvent for a longer time period and also, in larger amounts.

3. Glove Box Pressure Settings: While a person is operating with the glove box, the pressure should be set as high as possible as long as the operation is being carried out. For easy operation, the default pressure can be used as well. This can be obtained manually or by using the default button which is present in the Set screen. When there is no usage of the glove box, the setting for the pressure should be positive.
4. Leakage Testing: When the gas cylinders are being changed, the regulators should be checked. Along with this, the cylinder connections should be checked as well. For leakage tests, the instructions written on the operation manual should be referred properly to avoid any mishap.
5. Antechamber Use: There are some protocols that are must follow, it does not matter whether there is a usage of large ante Chambers or small ante Chambers. For the removal of almost all of the water and oxygen from the Chambers, the evacuation and refilling of the Chambers are recommended for at least three times.
6. Moisture Sensor Cleaning: The moisture sensor present in the glove box must be cleaned regularly so that the readings be accurate. It is helped for carrying out different operations.

Most of these vacuum glove boxes can be seen in the medical and biology laboratories and also in some chemistry labs. In a survey for Lab Manager Magazine, it was found that 41% of respondents use this equipment for substances that were sensitive to the water or oxygen or both, or the dangerous substances. Whereas 21% confirmed its use for the cells or bacteria culturing. 9% used this for storing chemicals or for soft electronic components. It is generally seen that 61% – which tends to be the largest – of the total labs have one or two vacuum glove boxes. On the other hand, 16% of the labs have five or more than that of this equipment in their facility.

With Proper Care These Boxes Work For Long Time

Vacuum glove boxes are important equipment that is generally required in the laboratory and it has some maintenance procedure as well. So, if it is taken care of properly, it is going to work for long. All the doubts and queries can be asked. With the manual, the operation of vacuum glove box equipment can be understood easily.