Glove box
A glove box (also glovebox , isolator or glove box ) is a container that is hermetically sealed and gas-tight from the surrounding work area . A defined atmosphere for processing sensitive or dangerous substances can be created within the glove box.
designation
The name glove box comes from the handling of the materials with the help of rubber or plastic gloves, mostly butyl, which reach into the box through appropriate openings (so-called glove ports).
properties
Glove boxes are usually made of stainless steel or plastic . On the operating sides they are often equipped with Lexan or glass panes so that the interior can be seen.
Bushings with gas-tight (butyl) gloves enable isolated access to the interior, hence the name "glove box". The transfer of materials takes place via evacuable chambers or locks as well as media connections.
There are two ways of minimizing the consequences of leaks: there is either a slight overpressure in the glove box so that no room air can flow in in the event of a leak (gloves that are not in use bulge outwards) or a slight negative pressure so that no hazardous substances are released from the glove box can escape (e.g. when working with radioactive substances).
Depending on the area of application, the atmosphere of the glove box consists of:
- from specially filtered air , e.g. B. for biological, medical applications (isolators) or nuclear technology areas (barriers)
- from inert gas such as argon , nitrogen or helium , e.g. For example, for the production of batteries , halogen lamps , but also for special metal powder -Verarbeitungen, TIG or laser - welding and the general processing of substances which are oxygen or moisture sensitive, such as many metal-organic compounds . These glove boxes mainly work in connection with gas cleaning systems and are referred to as "inert gas systems".
Purposes
The purpose of the glove box is to
- Shield materials from environmental influences (product protection).
- conversely, to protect the environment from the harmful effects of the materials to be processed (personal protection).
Locations
Glove boxes are used for research , development and industrial production. Smaller systems are also used in mobile facilities, e.g. B. in special vehicles, armored vehicles, aircraft or spacecraft, such as the Spacelab .
The areas of application are extensive. Glove boxes are used for halogen and xenon lamp production, lithium battery production and semiconductor production, but also for special welding techniques and the storage of environmentally sensitive materials. Another area is use in nuclear facilities (e.g. laboratories) in which certain radioactive substances, e.g. B. tritium or plutonium must be processed. Furthermore, glove boxes are often used in laboratories that work with organometallic compounds , since these compounds are often very sensitive to air and moisture or are even pyrophoric . Glove boxes are also used by orchid growers and sometimes also in mushroom cultivation, where the handling of seeds or spores and substrates requires sterility.
Web links
- American Society Glove Box (Engl.)
- MBraun leading manufacturer of inert gas (Engl.)