Glove boxes are commonly used in laboratories, lithium battery, and semiconductor industries as anhydrous and oxygen-free inert gas protective operating devices. They isolate water and oxygen within a sealed cavity, enabling safe handling of sensitive materials. The Microna glove box system mainly consists of three core modules: the glove box body, the purification unit, and the transition chamber. These modules work together to ensure a stable low-water, low-oxygen operating environment within the glove box.
I. Glove Box Body: The Main Enclosed Space for Closed Operations
The glove box body is the core closed space for sample handling. The Microna glove box body uses 3mm thick 304 stainless steel as the main material. The exterior of the body can be powder-coated, while the interior uses an oil-film brushed finish to reduce impurities from leaching out and maintain internal cleanliness.
The glove box features an 8mm thick tempered glass front window sealed with an O-ring vacuum flange, balancing visibility with airtightness. A glove opening with an aluminum alloy flange and O-ring seal allows for easy access to samples using 0.4mm thick butyl rubber gloves.
The interior includes shelves for sample storage and a built-in filter for gas filtration, with one gas input and one output path. LED lighting ensures clear visibility. A standard DN40KF external interface and a 220V power supply are also included for connecting internal testing instruments.
The Microna glove box is available in various sizes, with single-section lengths of 1220, 1500, 1800, and 2440mm, a height of 900mm, and depths of 750, 1000, and 1200mm, allowing for selection based on experimental space and sample size.
II. Purification Unit: The Core System for Achieving a Low-Oxygen Environment
The purification unit is the key component of the entire Microna glove box system, directly determining the oxygen content within the box. The target oxygen content is <1 ppm. The purification unit mainly includes a purification column, a circulation system, a vacuum pump, regeneration components, and various valves.
The purification column tank is made of 304 stainless steel and filled with copper catalyst and molecular sieves. The copper catalyst removes oxygen, and the molecular sieves adsorb water vapor. The circulation system is equipped with a variable frequency fan, allowing for adjustable airflow. This drives the inert gas within the box to continuously circulate through the purification column, continuously purifying the gas.
The glove box vacuum pump is primarily responsible for vacuuming operations. Microna's glove box vacuum pumps are available in 12m³/h and 16m³/h specifications, and feature an integrated oil mist filter for better gas vibration control. Microna's glove box PLC controller automatically controls the regeneration process, achieving automated regeneration of the purification column. The regeneration process involves introducing a mixture of hydrogen and inert gas to reduce the adsorbent material and restore its dehydration and deoxygenation properties. Inert gases such as nitrogen and argon can be used as the working medium. The entire gas circuit is also equipped with a main valve, pneumatic angle valve, oil mist filter, and solenoid integrated valve to complete gas circuit switching and gas vibration control.
III. Transition Chamber: Isolation and Transfer Component for Material Ingress and Egress
The transition chamber is the material inlet and outlet of the glove box, playing a crucial role in transferring samples and materials in and out without disrupting the inert environment inside the box, and preventing outside air from directly entering the main cavity.
Micarona glove box transition chambers are available in two main series: round and rectangular, each series further divided into large and small sizes. Standard round transition chambers have diameters of 150mm, 360mm, and 400mm; standard rectangular transition chambers have diameters of 120×150mm and 250×300mm, with optional extended sizes of 360×360mm and 450mm×450mm also available.
The chamber body is also made of 304 stainless steel, with an inner surface featuring a brushed oil film finish and an outer surface treated with powder coating or mirror finish. The chamber door is a double-door aluminum alloy structure, 10mm thick, and anodized; the interior is equipped with a sliding tray with a lifting structure for convenient material placement and retrieval.
The transition chamber is equipped with a pressure gauge for simulation display and supports both manual and automatic operation modes. It completes the vacuuming and inert gas refilling process, isolating the outside air and ensuring that the water and oxygen environment inside the main chamber is not disturbed by the entry and exit of materials.
IV. Component Collaborative Operation to Meet Industry Needs
The Microna glove box relies on the collaborative operation of its main components: the box body, purification unit, and transition chamber. The box body creates a sealed operating space; the purification unit continuously circulates and purifies the gas, maintaining a low-water-oxygen environment within the box; and the transition chamber safely transfers materials. This complete system is widely used in materials science experiments, lithium battery R&D and production, semiconductors, and specialty chemical synthesis, providing a stable and reliable inert protective environment for materials sensitive to water vapor and oxygen.
