Select gloves of appropriate material based on the type of substance used in the glove box and experimental requirements. For example, when dealing with organic solvents, chemical resistant rubber gloves should be selected; Gloves used in the nuclear field may require tungsten gloves with radiation protection function. Before use, it is necessary to carefully inspect the gloves for defects such as holes, cracks, and damages, which can be done through inflation inspection or perspective inspection under strong light.
During the operation, avoid excessive stretching, twisting, or direct contact with sharp objects such as tweezers, sharp ends of needles, etc., to prevent gloves from being damaged.
2. Pressure control and monitoring
During the use of the glove box, pay attention to the pressure changes inside the glove box to avoid excessive or insufficient pressure affecting the gloves. Excessive pressure may cause the gloves to inflate and rupture, while insufficient pressure may cause the gloves to be sucked into the glove opening and collide with other experimental instruments, resulting in scratching and damage.
3. Glove box usage
The glove box shall be used in strict accordance with the "sandwich" method. First, apply a thin layer of latex gloves to avoid the impact of fingernails, grease, etc. on the gloves; Then insert it into the gloves and wear a layer of operating gloves outside the glove box to better protect the glove box from chemical substances.
Methods for handling small damages in glove boxes
1. Stop operation immediately
Once small damages, such as tiny pinholes or cracks, are found on the gloves, the operation should be stopped immediately, and the affected gloves should be slowly removed from the glove box to avoid sudden removal causing environmental disturbance or damage to other items inside the glove box.
2. Local repair measures
For some minor damages, specialized glove repair tools or materials can be used for repair. For example, using glove repair glue, apply it to the damaged area, cure it according to the product instructions, and seal the damaged area. (However, Mikrouna suggests that for the sake of accurate experimental results and personnel safety, if the gloves are damaged, it is recommended to replace them directly.)
3. Inspection and Testing
After repair, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the gloves, including the sealing of the repaired area and the overall integrity of the gloves. A simple pressure test can be conducted inside the glove box to ensure that the gloves can be used normally after repair and will not affect the environment inside the glove box. If there are still problems with the repaired gloves, such as leakage or inflexibility, replacement gloves should be considered.
Handling method for glove box with significant damage
1. Safety isolation and personnel protection
When there is significant damage to the gloves, such as extensive tearing or severe rupture, the first step is to quickly and safely isolate the experiments or operations inside the glove box. If possible, shut down the relevant gas supply, circulation, and other systems, adjust the pressure of the glove box to be higher than atmospheric pressure, and prevent further accidents from occurring. Operators should immediately evacuate the area around the glove box and wear additional protective equipment such as protective clothing, goggles, masks, etc. to prevent potential leakage of substances from causing harm to the human body.
2. Glove replacement
Use the transition compartment to transfer the glove cover into the glove box, and use another undamaged glove to pick up the glove cover and seal the glove opening. At this point, you can remove the damaged glove and replace it with a new one. After changing the gloves and fastening them with a sealing ring, remove the glove opening and the gloves can be used normally.
3. Recovery and Test Run
After replacing the gloves, perform a recovery operation on the glove box by refilling it with suitable gas, adjusting the pressure, and starting the cycle. If the water and oxygen levels inside the glove box are too high due to damage, it is recommended to clean the glove box once before starting the cycle.
The gloves are severely damaged. After replacing the gloves, it is recommended to conduct a complete performance check of the glove box to ensure that it can operate normally and safely after experiencing a major glove damage event.
