Glove Box

From NanoWiki

Please read these instructions before using the Glove Box, and log every operation in the Glove Box history

Normal operation

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 3-8 mbar, O2, H2O levels are below 0.1 ppm. If not, do not work!!! Report to Feri, 30-452-4705
• Check pressure in Ar bottle-station. If below 10 bar, change bottle. PURGE!!!
• Turn on the vacuum pump before use, wait until end vacuum goes to below < 0.1 mbar (indicator is on the Leybold station)

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 solvents except with very low vapor pressure (max. oils or vacuum grease). Samples in containers should be a bit opened!
• Be careful with the black valve handle, experience shows that if not gently handled it will leak!
• Evacuate to < 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 with talc. Use a shirt with a LONG SLEEVE. Use talc on naked arms. Remove rings, watches, bracelets, piercings etc.
• Go inside slowly so that box reacts the pressure change. Same for coming out.

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.
• Switch off the vacuum pump if you do not use it for a day at least.

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:

• H2O sensor clean: 2-3 months
• Gloves: every second year or when worn out. Small leaks *around mounting ring. Change glove Orings as well.
• Particle filters: once per year
• Small-large antechamber orings: when looks worn out (after cc. 3 years)