Glove box with controllable atmosphere

fully automated

Overview
Carbolite offers customised glove box systems integrated with tube furnaces (up to 1800°C) and chamber furnaces (up to 3000°C). Units are adapted to customer process requirements and can be specified for inert or controlled reactive atmospheres.

Control and automation
All systems are available in manual, semi-automatic or fully automated PLC control versions. Options include mass flow controllers for precise gas delivery and process repeatability.

Gas atmosphere and safety
Inert gas control is included as standard. Common inert gases are nitrogen or argon at slight overpressure to protect samples from oxidation. Comprehensive safety packages are available for reactive gases such as H2, CO, CO2, H2S, H2O, CH4 and ethene.

Vacuum options
High-vacuum turbo pumps can be fitted for applications requiring vacuum: available for tube furnace integrations up to 1450°C and chamber furnace integrations up to 2200°C.

Glove box configuration
The glove box size, number and size of air locks, and number of gloves are tailored to customer requirements. Achievable atmospheres and pressures are constrained by common glove box construction standards. Underpressure operation for personnel protection is available where required.

Loading concepts

• Horizontal loading of the furnace chamber through the side or rear wall of the glove box.
• Vertical loading with the furnace located above the glove box; an automated transfer mechanism positions the sample into the glove box.

Examples / Typical installations
Typical installations include front-loading chamber furnaces integrated with glove boxes, front-loading tube furnaces with integrated glove boxes (specific heated lengths and tube diameters defined per project), detailed loading mechanism views and air lock configurations, paired furnaces within glove boxes for demanding industrial processes, and tall vertical split tube furnaces integrated with glove boxes for long heated lengths divided into multiple zones.

Specifications

• Furnace temperature ranges: tube furnaces up to 1800°C; chamber furnaces up to 3000°C.
• Control options: manual, semi-automatic, fully automated PLC with mass flow controllers.
• Inert gas control included; typical inert gases: nitrogen or argon (slight overpressure).
• Reactive gas safety packages available for: H2, CO, CO2, H2S, H2O, CH4, ethene.
• Vacuum capability: high-vacuum turbo pumps for tube furnaces to 1450°C and chamber furnaces to 2200°C.
• Glove box customization: configurable size, number/size of air locks, number of gloves.
• Loading concepts: horizontal loading through side/rear wall; vertical loading with furnace above glove box and automated sample transfer.
• System integration: compatible with tube and chamber furnace types and multiple control/automation options.