Glove Box

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Preface: the glove box is a funny looking but precious instrument (new price is about 50 kEuro). It has a substantial running cost and experience shows that any error we make costs about 50 kHUF at once, stopping the box for a week or two and a lot of work. All this is not comparable to jeopardizing the samples which we store inside, every scientific sample is unique with a lot of time invested. Maintaining the box usage for everyone is also an effort (ordering gas, regenerating, watching status of the o-rings, pump, etc.) and whether the O2 level is <0.1 ppm or 1 ppm is life or death for the Feri group working on alkali metals. So please keep all this in mind before working with the box. Do not be afraid but be sensible.

Please read these instructions before using the Glove Box, and log every operation in the Glove box logbook!

All users require training from a trained user (Feri, Szirmai Péter). Use is allowed only if the trainer approves to that. Any violation results in being banned from use. On the 27th of October 2012 allowed users are: Gubicza Ágnes Csontos Miklós Scherübl Zoltán Iván Dávid (irjatok, ha vkit lehagytam: simon@esr.phy.bme.hu)

Contents

Normal operation

Left: Good (GB1 and VPG open, RKM active) Right: Not good

Checking before the work, also check daily when box is unused

  • Circulator and water cooling is running. Never press Regeneration button on the panel.
  • Box pressure is 2-8 mbar, O2, H2O levels are below 0.1 ppm. If any of above is not like that, do not work!!! Report to Feri, 30-452-4705
  • Check pressure in Ar bottle-station. If below 10 bar, change bottle. PURGE!!! (Better to leave it for a trained user)
  • Turn on the vacuum pump before use, wait until end vacuum goes to below < 0.1 mbar (indicator is on the control box of the glovebox, measures the Pirani). The vacuum pump should not run when the box is not in use. Switch on/off with the separate switch on on the wall at the height of the basin.
  • A warning message is often on (clean the H2O sensor), you can ignore that.

Working

  • check if inner door of both antechambers are closed
  • fill up the used chamber from box (keep a slight 50-100 mbar pressure under the box, this prevents that residual air in the otherwise evacuated antechamber goes into the box)
  • open chamber door. NEVER TOUCH the inside with pure hands, use gloves.
  • place sample close to inner end. Never put in any solvents. Samples in containers should be a bit opened!
  • Samples containing solvents could in principle be used if you consult Feri
  • Be careful with the black valve handle, experience shows that if not gently handled (over-rotated counterclockwise) it will leak!
  • Evacuate to cc. 0.1 mbar (2 min. for small, 10 min for large chamber). Refill/repump twice to 500 mbar (max to 950 mbar, this prevents that residual air in the otherwise evacuated antechamber goes into the box). (Total: 6 min for small, 30 min for large chamber).
  • Use gloves either with a shirt with a LONG SLEEVE or with a small amount of talc on naked arms. Remove rings, watches, bracelets, piercings etc.
  • Go inside slowly so that box can react the pressure change. Same for coming out.

Remarks:

       Experienced users can use the pedals for more rapid going in and coming out.
       It is a bit more comfortable to work if you reduce the lower pressure limit to 1-1.5 mbar (do not forget to return it to 3-4 mbar after work). It is accessed by pressing on the middle of the panel. Pressing the OK is needed to enter the value.

Leave box after work:

  • Always close inner doors. Careful, only the handle part of the small chamber door should be touched. Glove can be hurt!!!
  • Switch off light
  • Both Chambers are closed from in-outside
  • Chambers are pumped out to vacuum (< 0.1 mbar) and closed from pump, i.e. both chamber valves are in the close position.
  • Check O2, H2O levels. If not below 0.5 ppm, note the time it takes to go down. Report to a trained user!
  • Switch off the vacuum pump if you do not use it for a day at least.

For trained users only: Regeneration (if O2 or H2O level does not go below 0.1 ppm after 1 day without use)

  • Secure all important samples into chambers, pump the chambers out, close.
  • Switch off Circulator
  • set 0.3 bar on Ar-H2
  • turn on Regeneration, process cannot be stopped!
  • 1/2 bottle (100 bar) of Ar-H2 per regeneration is needed
  • Status can be monitored by clicking on the absorbent and checking "Status"

Regular service:

  • Do not clean the H2O sensor, it should be cleaned every 2-3 months, experience shows that it is not neccessary
  • Gloves: every second year or when worn out. Small leaks around mounting ring. Change glove O-rings as well.
  • Particle filters: once per year
  • Small-large antechamber O-rings: when looks worn out (after cc. 3 years)
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