A Vacuum Glove Box is a chamber erected by the construction of two Pyrex tubes that are sealed at their bottom ends. As the vacuum is created, any gaseous molecules will flow from one of the tubes to another until there is equilibrium in pressure between the two ends of the glass tubes. This vacuum pump-out process can be done without exposing any glass tube to atmospheric pressure. Vacuum pumps are standard equipment in laboratories for evacuating chambers so that an experiment can be carried out in a controlled condition of low ambient pressure or a high degree of vacuum.
How to use it?
Vacuum Glove Box is usually used in labs where various chemicals are to be exposed to a high vacuum. The tube is sealed at the bottom by a rubber gasket and at the top by the lid. A source of inert gas (usually nitrogen) is connected to one end of the tube and through a valve that controls flow can be connected to the other end. The gasket seals both ends of the tube and prevents accidental spillage of gas into the laboratory environment.
The purpose is to lower pressure inside an enclosed chamber, which can then be subjected to even higher levels of vacuum by connecting it to a larger vacuum pump system. You can get a vacuum glove box at a reliable price from Global Lab Supply.
Easy to maintain:
Vacuum glove boxes are very easy to maintain. If the outside chamber gets contaminated due to simple wear and tear or broken seals, it is possible to simply exchange new gaskets. Vacuum glove boxes are very easy to transport and maneuverability, making them the go-to idea for those working in hazardous areas. You can save your space by fitting one in your lab bench instead of two regular bench tops.
Improved accuracy:
Different gases have different boiling points. This can cause errors when performing chemical analysis through gas chromatography (GC). Dividing a sample into two chambers, one filled with nitrogen and the other with argon or helium can significantly improve accuracy. Most 1 m long vacuum glove boxes are sold as complete units containing all components, including valves and fittings. You need to look for those that include the necessary accessories to match your needs such as the requirements of your analytical chemistry instruments and chemical analyses.
Cost-effective:
Vacuum glove boxes cost less than normal equipment, so they are suitable for purchase from small, private laboratories. They can also be bought as a service rather than purchased as individual components. You can add extra accessories and also choose the most suitable sizes, which will depend on the total volume of any particular gas that you are interested in working with, whether it is air or other gases.
Transparent:
One of the most important features of a vacuum glove box is its visibility. All the glass walls and doors combine to give a view that is both safe and easy for viewing experiments. The transparent viewing chamber is made of very strong glass so that it can withstand a high vacuum. It also gives the user a chance to see how different reactants behave when exposed to different levels of atmosphere pressure, temperature, and heating.
Finding:
Vacuum glove boxes are the most cost-effective way of maintaining low-pressure conditions in your lab or workplace, which makes them popular amongst chemists who want to perform experiments under relatively harsh conditions without exposing their samples to uncontrolled pressures in their lab environment. The many accessories and safety features are very important for labs that work with electronic instruments and chemical compounds.
Impact resistant:
The ability of vacuum glove boxes to withstand extreme pressure and temperatures makes them ideal for a variety of applications. Vacuum glove boxes provide the ideal safety barrier between sensitive instruments and a hostile environment, which could result in damage or malfunction. These boxes are also widely used for plasma etching, which is where thin films are etched away from highly heat-resistant metals like aluminum and tungsten. They can be used to replace glass flasks if you want to take samples in an atmosphere that is different from your own because there is no risk of contamination.
Light-weight:
Vacuum glove boxes are lightweight so they can be easily moved around the lab. They can also take up less space than standard equipment because not all gas cylinders need to be present to create a high vacuum inside the working chamber. These boxes can sometimes be purchased with an attached table top for easy access, or you may wish to place them on their own in your work area.
Conclusion:
These boxes are ideal for use in any laboratory environment where extreme conditions need to be recreated quickly and easily, ensuring that there is no risk of contamination. In some cases, they have replaced glass flasks altogether because they offer the same degree of protection and safety while being much more compact and easier to store.
Original Sources: https://www.fuzia.com/article_detail/684021/some-benefits-of-using-vacuum-glove-box
