Atmospheric control in purged positive pressure gloveboxes
The gloveboxes in this discussion are used for machining material that must be handled in an inert atmosphere at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant. The enclosures are approximately 300 cubic feet in volume and house two precision cutting machines. The machine's shafts penetrate a flexible rubber boot so that the machining area is within the glovebox. Air bearings around the machine shafts are supplied with nitrogen and exhaust into the glovebox. The glovebox is equipped with an air lock for loading and unloading parts, and a centrally located carriage for manipulating parts from the air lock to both machining and inspection areas. The glovebox control system (which is independent of the precision machine controls) handles various interlocks and alarms associated with the air lock and part handling carriage, and maintains required pressure and atmospheric quality. The important functions provided by the glovebox and its control system are preservation material integrity, elimination of fire and explosion hazards, containment of machine dust that is released during machining, relief of control system attention by machinists, and cost savings in nitrogen. 2 figs.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- OSTI ID:
- 6929244
- Report Number(s):
- Y/EN-2323; CONF-880846-4; ON: DE88016144
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: American Glovebox Society annual meeting, Denver, CO, USA, 23 Aug 1988; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GLOVEBOXES
CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERES
MATERIALS
MACHINING
AEROSOL MONITORING
CONTROL SYSTEMS
EXHAUST SYSTEMS
FLOW RATE
FLOWSHEETS
GAS BEARINGS
NITROGEN
PRESSURE CONTROL
SAFETY
VALVES
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ATMOSPHERES
BEARINGS
CONTROL
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
DIAGRAMS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
MONITORING
NONMETALS
420203* - Engineering- Handling Equipment & Procedures