A vacuum glove box is a laboratory device that fills the chamber with high-purity inert gas and circulates it to filter out reactive substances. It is also called a glove box, inert gas protection chamber, or dry chamber. Because the environment inside the chamber is essentially anhydrous and oxygen-free, the glove box is mainly used for reactions with stringent reaction conditions; general reactions do not require a glove box.
Instrument Working Principle
The chamber and the gas purification system form a sealed working environment. Under the control and monitoring of a PLC, the gas circulates in a closed loop through pipes and a circulating fan. When the working gas circulates through the purification column, its moisture and oxygen are adsorbed off before returning to the chamber. As the circulation time increases, the water and oxygen content in the working gas gradually decreases, eventually reaching a target of less than 1 ppm. The entire system maintains a high-cleanliness and high-purity inert gas environment.
Precautions
(1) Precautions during experimental preparation:
- Before starting the experiment, be clear about the chemicals and equipment that need to be brought into the glove box, plan scientifically, and minimize the number of times the transition chamber is used.
- Before bringing in any medicines or equipment, ensure they are thoroughly dry and write your name on them.
- Before opening the outer door of the transition chamber, ensure no other items are inside to avoid affecting others’ use.
- Items placed in the transition chamber must undergo at least three ventilation cycles and a vacuum process of at least ten minutes before being brought into the main chamber.
(2) Precautions during the experiment:
- Wear three layers of gloves, a lab coat, and safety goggles throughout the entire experiment.
- Slowly insert gloves into the chamber to avoid excessive pressure causing circulation to stop.
- Handle with care during the experiment to avoid spilling solvents or medicines and to prevent equipment breakage. As a remedial measure, wipe spilled solvents or medicines clean with cotton wool using tweezers. For broken equipment, avoid direct contact with gloves; use tweezers to hold it firmly and remove it from the chamber, paying particular attention to small pieces of glass.
- Minimize the time that medicines, solvents, and reaction systems are left exposed to reduce solvent evaporation.
- If the glove box malfunctions, stop the experiment immediately, investigate the cause, and only resume use after the problem is resolved.
(3) Precautions during the experimental closing stage:
- Properly store used medicines and equipment. Items not to be taken out of the chamber must be sealed and placed in your own tray. Items to be taken out of the chamber must be disposed of immediately.
- Vacuum pumps, stirrers, balances, and other instruments should be turned off immediately after use.
- Remind others of any medicines or equipment they have forgotten.
- After items are taken out of the transition chamber, ventilate and vacuum the area promptly for easy access by others.
- If any abnormalities are found in the glove box, handle them promptly if possible; otherwise, report them immediately to avoid further losses.
