Transporting Chemicals In and Out of the Glove Box Jessica A. Haak (Designer) Jeffrey S. Quesnel (Subject Matter Expert) Department of Education, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec Introduction 4 Important Glove Box Pointers
✪ Never open the outer antechamber door
when the inner antechamber door is open or vice versa. ✪ Make sure your chemicals is sealed inside a glove box certified container. ✪ Always do three full vacuum and refill cycles before bringing chemicals into the glove box. ✪ Check the glove box computer regularly while working in the glove box.
2. Bringing Chemicals In Step 4: Close the outer antechamber door.
Step 1: Ensure that the antechamber gauge is at 0 psi. a. Resolve any deviation by turning the antechamber valve to the “refill” position. b. Wait until the vacuum gauge reaches 0 psi. c. Turn the antechamber valve to the marked “closed” position..
Antechamber Vacuum Gauge At 0 psi.
Step 2: Open the outer antechamber door. Procedure for Model A a. Turn the antechamber door knob counterclockwise until the door feels loose. b. Turn the antechamber door counterclockwise 25°. c. Detach the antechamber door and place it knob down on a flat surface.
1. The Glove Box Computer
Ideal Conditions O2: Between 0.1-5 ppm H2O: Between 0.1-5 ppm Pressure: Between 1-6 mbar Four Circulator Icons: Green Alarm Sign: Off Cause for Concern O2: Above 5 ppm H2O: Above 5 ppm Pressure: Above 6 mbar Four Circulator Icons: Red Alarm Sign: On
✪ Should any of these conditions occur contact a senior lab member right away.
Procedure for Model B a. Pull the antechamber handle to unlatch the antechamber hinge. b. Pull the door open to a 90° angle..
Model A
Procedure for Model A a. Pickup the outer antechamber door. b. Fit the outer antechamber door grooves into the door frame. c. Turn the outer antechamber door clockwise 25°. d. Turn the outer antechamber door knob clockwise, tightening only using your thumb, index finger, and middle finger. (called the 3 finger rule), until it is difficult to continue turning. Procedure for Model B a. Push the outer antechamber door towards the glove box until it is touching the door frame. b. Line the outer antechamber handle with the outer antechamber latch and pull down on the antechamber handle to seal the door. ✪ Be careful when tightening model A doors. Make sure that the next user will be able to comfortably open and close the door.
Model B
✪ Always use the “3 finger rule” when tightening model A doors: your thumb, index finger and middle finger.
Cycle 3 a. Turn the antechamber valve to the marked “evacuate” position. b. Turn the antechamber cycle wheel to “3”. c. Wait five minutes. d. Turn the antechamber valve to the marked “refill” position until 0 psi on the antechamber vacuum gauge is reached to complete cycle 3. e. Put the antechamber valve to the “closed” position. f. Turn the antechamber cycle wheel to “N2”.
Antechamber Valve Evacuate
Refill
Step 6: Closed With your hands in the gloves, Open the inner antechamber door. Step 7: With your hands in the gloves pick up the sealed chemicals and place in the glove box. Step 8: With your hands in the gloves, close the inner anti-chamber door.
3. Bringing Chemicals Out
Step 3: Load a chemical in a sealed container into the antechamber.
Step 5: Complete three full vacuum cycles using the antechamber valave.
a. Slide the antechamber tray out of the glove box by one foot. b. Place the chemical in a sealed container on the tray. c. Push the antechamber tray completely into the antechamber.
✪ Before bringing any solid chemicals into the antechamber make sure that the lid is on, but loosened by half a turn. This will allow room for the air to escape when it goes into the glove box.
Cycles 1&2 a. Turn the antechamber valve to the marked “evacuate” position. b. Turn the antechamber cycle wheel to “1”. c. Wait five minutes. d. Turn the antechamber valve to the marked “refill” position until between 5 psi and 15 psi is reached on the antechamber vacuum gauge to complete cycle 1. e. Repeat steps a-d again, this time turning the cycle wheel to “2”
✪ Did you know that not all chemicals can go into the glove box? When in doubt talk to your trainer or a senior lab member.
✪ Always use the cycle wheel to indicate what cycle you are in, this will avoid confusion when there are multiple users.
Antechamber Valve Evacuate
Step One: Open the inner antechamber door.
Step Two: Place the sealed chemical in the antechamber.
Step Three: Close the inner antechamber door.
Step Six: Close the outer Antechamber door.
Step Five: Remove the sealed chemical.
Step Four: Open the outer antechamber door.
4. Preparing for the Next User Refill
✪ Label your chemicals. ✪ Tidy up chemicals and equipment. ✪ Sweep the bench. ✪ Place all dirty or broken glassware, empty bottles, dirty cloths, and debris in the glove box garbage. ✪ Clean the inside of the gloves with a cloth & solvent. ✪ Clean the outside of the gloves with a cloth & water.