1. What are the power requirements for my glovebox system?
All standard glovebox systems are either 115V 15 amps for domestic installations or 220V 8 amps for international installations. A standard wall outlet should work fine for running the glovebox systems.
2. Do I need any other power for my system?
Your system comes with an electrical feedthrough to supply power inside the glovebox system. This is either 115V 10 amps or 220V 5 amps. A standard wall outlet will work fine for this as well. Please refer to Installation Requirements documentation for additional power requirements.
3. Do I need a ventilation/exhaust connection for my glovebox?
Yes. You will need to connect the common vent line to an exhaust connection in your lab. The common vent line connects all of the exhausts for the entire glovebox system into one connection at the top of the system. This is a 1.5” pipe connection labeled VENT at the top of the system, typically located behind the antechamber.
4. What kind of inert gases do I need to run my system?
You will need either nitrogen or argon at a purity of less than 10 ppm oxygen and moisture to operate the system. You will also need regeneration gas (3-5% hydrogen balance nitrogen or argon) for the regeneration process. A quality of 99.995% or better is required to operate the system correctly.
5. How much regeneration gas do I need, and do I need to leave it connected all the time?
You will need 1 standard cylinder of regeneration gas to start the system. One regeneration consumes half a tank of regeneration gas. You will most likely only regenerate your system once every 3-6 months and you can disconnect the regeneration gas when not in use.
6. Do I need a regulator to run my glovebox?
You will need a regulator to run your system. The regulator will need to deliver between 60 – 80 PSI of gas pressure at a flow rate of 200 l/min. The regulator will need to have a 3/8” hose barb connection and should be equipped with a shut off valve. Please see your installation requirements for details.
7. Do I need a regulator for the regeneration gas?
Yes. You will need a regulator for the regeneration gas. This regulator will need to deliver between 10-15 PSI of pressure and need to have a flow meter attached to deliver 15l/min of flow to the system while regenerating. This regulator will also need a 3/8” hose barb connection and should be equipped with a shut off valve. Please see your installation requirements for details.
8. Do I need to purge my system when I first set it up and how much purge gas do I need?
You will need to purge your glovebox when you first set it up. A standard single length system takes approximately 2 cylinders of inert gas to purge the system. As a rule, the amount of purge gas is easy to calculate. First you need to calculate the volume of your glovebox in cubic feet. A typical standard single length glovebox is approximately (4 ft X 2.5 ft X 3 ft) 30 cubic feet. An estimate is fine to use for this calculation. Then multiple the volume by 15 and you get a purge gas amount of 450 cubic ft. There is 300 cubic feet of gas in a standard gas cylinder so you will need 2 cylinders of gas. This is a very useful calculation for larger or smaller systems.
9. Does the glovebox need to be purged before I run a regeneration?
You must purge the glovebox prior to running a regeneration. The regeneration process uses the glovebox environment for cooling and therefor needs to have a low oxygen environment inside the glovebox.
10. Does the glovebox need water cooling?
No. The glovebox system does not require any cooling water to run
11. How frequently does the vacuum pump oil need to be changed?
We recommend that you change your vacuum pump oil after every regeneration or every 3 months, whichever comes first.
12. How frequently do I need to change the inlet/outlet filters?
Once every 6 months. This is very important. If the filters get clogged, they cause the blower to run hotter than normal and it can cause the blower to fail prematurely.
13. Do the analyzers come with calibration certificates?
Yes.
14. How frequently do the analyzers need to be calibrated?
For most applications we recommend a calibration interval of 5 years.
15. Is the oxygen analyzer harmed by solvents?
Our oxygen sensor is a very durable fuel cell design that is not damaged by most solvents.
16. Do the moisture or oxygen analyzers need any maintenance?
No. These are maintenance free.
17. Why does the oxygen and moisture level display increase when I turn off circulation? Is my system leaking?
The analyzers are flow sensitive and the circulation blower is used to flow gas through the analyzers to get a sample of gas from the glovebox. Once you turn off circulation the flow stops and causes the analyzers to read a false high level of oxygen and moisture. Once you turn the circulation blower back on the levels will return to normal. Your glovebox is not leaking.
18. How many evacuation and refill cycles do I need to run on my antechamber?
You need to run 3 evacuation and refill cycles to make sure that you do not bring any air into the system.
19. Can I install my glovebox on my own?
Yes, the systems are all labeled for self-installation. Please refer to the operation manual for detailed instructions.
20. How do I know if I have a leak in my glovebox?
This is usually easy to notice. Typically, if you have a leak in your system, you will hear the gas solenoid clicking on/off constantly throughout the day. This is the system adjusting for the loss in gas pressure within the system. You will also notice an increase in the oxygen level in the system. If you think you have a leak, please contact the service department at LC Technology.
21. Can I remove the window of the glovebox?
Yes. All LC Technology gloveboxes are equipped with a quick release front window. It is easily removed/replaced in minutes. When replacing the window please make sure the gasket and window are free of any particles that might get into the seal area.
22. Can I use solvents in my glovebox?
The short answer is yes, but you should be very careful with solvent use inside the glovebox. You should use as little solvent as possible within the system. The glovebox system is completely sealed, so any solvent that evaporates is still within the glovebox and will condense or collect somewhere inside the gas purifier. It is highly recommended to use an internal solvent trap for trace amounts of solvent use or a large external solvent removal system for higher solvent use. It is also recommended to purge while using solvents, and for at least 10 minutes after using solvents. Some solvents—especially chlorinated solvents—can damage the filter material quickly.
23. How frequently should I change my solvent removal filter/material?
The internal solvent charcoal trap should be replaced every month. Your system was shipped with a set of 12 filters for one year of operation. The external solvent removal filter material (activated carbon) should be changed about every 3-6 months, depending on how much solvent you use.
24. I see water in my regeneration exhaust line. Is this normal?
This is normal. The regeneration process produces steam, and this causes water to collect in this line. It is external to the glovebox and does not cause the system any harm.
25. I see water in my vacuum pump oil or vacuum pump exhaust line after I run a regeneration.
This is also normal as the regeneration process causes water to be pulled from the filter material during the evacuation stage of the regeneration process. It is recommended to change the vacuum pump oil after each regeneration.
26. Circulation is switched on but how do I know that the blower is actually running?
On a full-size glovebox, the circulation blower is enclosed in a round stainless-steel case and is located behind the filter column and in front of the vacuum pump. If you put your hand on the side of the blower housing it should be warm to the touch. This indicates that the blower is running. On a LCPW glovebox you should be able to hear the blower running. If you switch it on and off a few times you should notice a definite change in the sound.
27. I am getting an ‘Inlet/Outlet Valves are not Open’ alarm message.
This alarm means that the electro-pneumatic circulation valves on top of the filter column are not opening and closing properly. This is almost always caused by low gas pressure or an empty gas cylinder. Check the gas supply and make sure the system has at least 60 psi going to it.
28. How tight should I tighten the ante-chamber door?
The ante-chamber door should only be tightened until it is snug. The best way to tighten the door is to use one finger to turn the handle. Tighten until you can’t turn it any more with that one finger.
29. What is the foot pedal for?
The foot pedal is for manually raising and lowering the pressure in the glovebox. It is typically used when placing hands in the glovebox or taking them out.
30. What tools do I need to setup any new glovebox?
To set up your new glovebox you will need a basic set of fractional wrenches, a set of screwdrivers, and an adjustable wrench.
31. When I auto-purge my glovebox, I get a high over pressure situation.
Confirm your gas pressure and size of the gas line is correct. Confirm the auto-purge valve is opening correctly. If you have a flow control valve on your regulator, you may be getting a bit too much flow. Adjust this down slowly to reduce the over-pressure situation. Make sure you have enough flow and pressure to keep the valve open. You also need to confirm that your vent line is connected and operating correctly.