As critical equipment for anhydrous and oxygen‑free experiments, aglove boxis prone to sealing‑element aging, vacuum‑pump oil deterioration, water‑oxygen sensor drift and other faults after prolonged shutdown. Direct operation under such conditions is not permitted.
Mikrouna presents the complete restart procedure following long‑term shutdown, covering component inspection, cleaning treatment, air‑tightness testing, control‑system calibration and full‑unit simulation trial runs. This helps laboratories safely restore equipment working conditions and guarantee reliable experimental data.
1. Comprehensive Hardware Inspection before Power‑on
Complete visual and component inspection of the whole unit with power disconnected to eliminate hardware risks. Focus on checking operating gloves for holes, cracks or aging; verify whether flange sealing rings of the antechamber and main chamber are deformed or detached. Check the vacuum pump oil level. Replace the oil promptly if it becomes emulsified or blackened. Inspect vacuum pipeline joints for looseness or cracking.
Confirm that nitrogen/argon gas sources meet purity requirements and have sufficient reserves, and that gas hoses show no aging or damage. Also verify that filters, purification assemblies, viewing windows and antechamber structures are intact, and that wiring terminals are free of oxidation. Repair any damaged or loose hardware before powering on the device.
2. Chamber Cleaning and Dust Removal
Carry out cleaning work upon completion of hardware inspection. Wipe the exterior of the glove box and inner surfaces of the antechamber with dust‑free cloths to remove accumulated dust and experimental residues; clear leftover material debris inside the main chamber. Highly volatile organic solvents are prohibited during cleaning, to avoid volatile substances entering the chamber and increasing the adsorption load on purification columns.
3. Air‑Tightness Testing
Air‑tightness lies at the core of glove‑box performance. Leak detection is mandatory for restart after long‑term shutdown. The oxygen‑content method is preferred for leak‑rate testing. Compared with the pressure method, it is less susceptible to temperature interference and delivers more reliable results.
Turn off circulation, regeneration and antechamber‑related functions. Evacuate the main chamber, and initiate leak testing once oxygen content stabilizes. If the leak rate exceeds specifications, troubleshoot potential leak points including gloves, sealing rings and pipeline joints one by one, and retest after repairs. Air leakage of the chamber will directly prevent water‑oxygen indexes from meeting target values in subsequent operation.
4. Calibration of Control System and Meters
Calibrate the control system and sensors after passing leak detection. Test automatic chamber‑pressure regulation, high/low‑pressure alarms and foot‑pedal pressure‑rise‑and‑fall functions for normal performance. Start the water‑oxygen analyzer. Probes tend to collect dust during long‑term shutdown; clean them per maintenance specifications in case of abnormal readings.
Test the vacuum pump, lighting, gas purging and circulation‑regeneration functions in sequence. Operate large and small antechambers repeatedly to verify smooth evacuation and gas‑refilling sequences, as well as normal solenoid‑valve actuation.
5. Full‑Unit Simulated Operation Trial
Conduct full‑unit simulated trials once all inspections are passed. First perform gas purging and replacement for the main chamber; enable purification circulation after oxygen content drops to a lower level. Simulate material transfer procedures by repeating material delivery via the antechamber 2‑3 times, and confirm stable chamber pressure without alarms.
Run the equipment for an extended period, monitor whether water and oxygen levels can steadily reach the designed specifications, and confirm proper data‑logging functions.
Keep equipment maintenance records after restart, and archive leak‑detection data and initial water‑oxygen readings. If water‑oxygen indexes cannot be achieved over long runtime, evaluate the necessity of purification‑column regeneration, which must be carried out without interruption. Conduct preliminary test experiments after restart; commence high‑value sample testing only after stable atmosphere conditions are confirmed.
