What is Vacuum Glove Box?

Vacuum glove boxes are a method of isolating two adjoining areas by enclosing one volume within another.

Invented in 1953, the glove box is a response to the problem of contamination inside an experiment or chemical processing.

Vacuum is created in the space between the interior and exterior walls of a sealed vessel to enhance the isolation of materials inside.

 

When a vacuum is created between surfaces, it results in reduced rates of convection, conduction, filtering, and vapor diffusion which all would work together to reduce purity & throughput.

The basic principle is that there's no air between the wall of the box and the substance being isolated so they cannot interact with each other.

"The basic principle is that there's no air between the wall of the box and the substance being isolated so they cannot interact with each other." says Prof.

How Does It Works?

The box may be closed or open on multiple levels.

Open at the bottom: so called "belly-up"

Open at the lid: known as belly-in

Open at each wall: known as belly-in

Belly-in means that each wall has a separate sealing ring. So, you can put a glove anywhere on the wall for a secure seal.

The most important part of any vacuum system is filtration.

The easiest way to filter is filtrate-down.

The Vacuum Glove Box filtrate-down is a system in which the materials you want to keep inside the box enter through a tiny hole in the lid (about 0.15mm in diameter) and deposit as a fine sediment into a reservoir.

This concept was first used in a glove box for testing explosives at the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in 1953.

A vacuum tube was fitted to a glove-like box and a mercury bulb inserted at the bottom to generate low vacuum; the bulb was attached to a hand pump.
In the next room, the technician squeezed his sealed box.

From time to time, after the mercury bulb had been exhausted, the technician opened the side of the box to allow the mercury to return to the vacuum container.

This device was used to study the effect that a vacuum had on a substance.

Where are vacuum glove boxes used?

• Medical research lab
• Hospitals
• Pharmaceutical lab
• Medical Device
• Industrial
• Dry Cleaners
• Hobbyists
• Food production
• Food processing

The benefits I am receiving from the usage of a vacuum glovebox machine are:

• The purity of the environment for carrying out reactions.
• I have no chances of cross contamination.
• I can also isolate any organic materials in air atmosphere if required by my purpose.
• The box can be fully opened or remain sealed at the top or the bottom.
• The box's volume capacity is great for carrying out small to large processes.
• The box's structure is very resistant to corrosion and has high maintenance rates.
• I can use more than one glove at a time for maximum user.
• I can use dry box.
• I can work on the materials even if it is acidic.
• I can add a hood to help in sealing and also to provide a source of air for flushing.
• I can remove the box immediately to get the products out by its sides as we need it daily.

The disadvantages of the vacuum glove box machine are:

• There is the possibility of contamination of the contents of the box after using it for some time.
• The amount of space required for storing it.3. They give a very negative feeling when dealing with them and its use requires high levels of concentration and meticulousity.
• It is not convenient to deal with glove boxes with no space inside they require high levels.
• The gloves also required for using them may be dirty and could be worn out.
• They are also heavy.
• They also take more time to be cleaned.
• They have a tendency to trap organic gases that could be harmful.
• They can be quite expensive.

Do you want to know Why is a vacuum glovebox?

In a vacuum you can:

• Reduce condensation on glassware.
• Decrease evaporation of solvents.
• Reduce the loss of heat during heating.
• Reduce the risk of explosion.
• Use vacuum to separate solvents from one another.
• 6 Vacuum prevents the transfer of oxygen from air into the vessel.
• Reduce the need to stir materials during a reaction.
• Help reduce the risk and the appearance of the smell of an explosion.
• You can use it for a high temperature operation.

Conclusion:

If one thinks the above benefits and disadvantages of a vacuum glove box it will make him want to have vacuum glove boxes for his work and business. We have come up with this article keeping this in mind and now it is up to you.