If elevated oxygen levels are detected inside the glove box during an experiment, it is essential to promptly investigate the cause and take targeted corrective actions. The specific solutions are as follows:
（一）Emergency Handling Steps for the Glove Box
1.Suspend Experimental Operations: Immediately stop experiments sensitive to oxygen to avoid sample oxidation or safety risks. Ensure there are no open flames or high-temperature sources (e.g., heating equipment) inside the glove box to prevent combustion in the high-oxygen environment.
2.Supplement with Inert Gas: If the oxygen reduction process is slow after suspending the experiment, pause the circulation purification system. Then, use the "purge" function on the control screen to replace the existing gas inside the box with high-purity inert gas. This method can quickly lower the oxygen content to below 200 ppm.
（二）Investigating the Causes of High Oxygen Levels in the Glove Box
After addressing the emergency, systematically investigate the reasons for the elevated oxygen levels to prevent recurrence:
1.Check the Seal of the Glove Box: Inspect potential leak points such as the glove box body, transition chamber doors, glove interfaces, and pipeline connections for signs of aging, damage, or looseness.
2.Check for Glove Damage or Improper Installation: Examine gloves for small holes, cracks, or improper sealing at the interfaces. Minor damage can be temporarily sealed with adhesive tape, while severe damage requires glove replacement (ensure new gloves are leak-tested before installation).
3.Insufficient Gas Purity: Verify the pressure of the inert gas cylinder. Low pressure or insufficient gas may introduce air during gas delivery.
4.Purification System Failure: The purification column may have exceeded the regeneration interval recommended by the glove box supplier, reducing the adsorption efficiency of the water and oxygen adsorption material.
5.Oxygen Introduction from Samples or Operations: Check whether newly introduced samples (e.g., reactive metals, organic reagents) were not pre-treated (e.g., vacuum drying, sealed packaging) before being placed into the glove box, as they may carry moisture and oxygen. Minimize the frequency and duration of opening the transition chamber during operations to prevent external air from entering.
（三）Preventive Measures
1.Regular Maintenance: Before each experiment, inspect the glove box’s seals, gas levels, and purification system status. Record oxygen level monitoring data and maintain a maintenance log. Regularly replace aging seals, gloves, and purification materials.
2.Standardize Operating Procedures: Develop a "Glove Box Operating Procedure" for the laboratory or production workshop, ensuring all personnel are familiar with proper operation methods.
3.Prepare Backup Plans: Keep spare inert gas cylinders and purification materials on hand for quick replacement in emergencies. If oxygen level issues persist frequently, contact the glove box manufacturer for maintenance and troubleshooting.
Precautions:
During handling, wear protective gloves, goggles, and other safety equipment to avoid risks such as hypoxia caused by inert gas leaks, especially in poorly ventilated laboratories.
If oxygen levels continue to rise uncontrollably or the equipment exhibits abnormalities (e.g., unusual noises or odors), stop using the glove box immediately and contact the supplier for repair. Do not disassemble glove box components or electrical systems independently.
