Views: 0 Author: Wordfik Vacuum Publish Time: 2025-07-21 Origin: Wordfik Vacuum
Glove boxes and inert atmosphere systems are widely used in battery research, advanced materials, chemical synthesis, and semiconductor laboratories. Vacuum pumps in these systems are mainly responsible for initial evacuation, atmosphere exchange, and pressure control, rather than achieving deep process vacuum.
This article focuses on practical vacuum pump types actually used in glove box systems, explaining where each technology is applied and why.
Vacuum pumps in glove box systems are typically used for:
Removal of ambient air before inert gas filling
Rapid reduction of oxygen and moisture levels
Repeated evacuation and refill cycles
Achieving low ppm oxygen and moisture environments
Maintaining slight negative or positive pressure
Preventing air ingress during operation
These tasks require stable rough to medium vacuum, with frequent cycling rather than extreme vacuum depth.
Two-stage oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps are widely used in glove box systems that require faster evacuation and lower ultimate pressure.
Research laboratory glove boxes
Battery material preparation
Chemical synthesis under inert atmosphere
Lower ultimate pressure compared to single-stage pumps
Faster pump-down during purge cycles
Stable and proven technology
Oil mist filters are mandatory
Proper check valves to prevent backstreaming
Not ideal for ultra-clean or oxygen-sensitive environments
These pumps are often selected where performance is prioritized over absolute cleanliness.
Oil-free scroll vacuum pumps are increasingly adopted in glove box applications requiring clean and contamination-free vacuum.
Battery research laboratories
Air- and moisture-sensitive material handling
Advanced chemistry and materials research
Completely oil-free compression chamber
No risk of oil vapor contamination
Quiet operation with low vibration
Excellent stability during purge cycles
Scroll vacuum pumps are particularly suitable for glove boxes that demand high gas purity and long-term stable operation.
Dry screw vacuum pumps are used in large-scale or centralized glove box systems.
Battery pilot lines
Multi-station glove box laboratories
Semiconductor material R&D facilities
Fully oil-free vacuum process
High tolerance to reactive and solvent vapors
Suitable for continuous operation
Ideal for centralized vacuum supply
Dry screw pumps are typically selected when multiple glove boxes share one vacuum system.
In laboratories operating multiple glove boxes, centralized vacuum systems are commonly implemented.
One or more oil-free vacuum pumps
Vacuum manifold distribution
Individual control valves per glove box
Redundant pump design for critical operations
Consistent vacuum performance across all stations
Reduced noise and heat inside laboratories
Simplified maintenance and monitoring
Oil-free scroll or dry screw pumps are most commonly used in these systems.
Wordfik provides vacuum pump solutions specifically designed for glove box and inert atmosphere systems.
Two-stage oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps
Oil-free scroll vacuum pumps
Dry screw vacuum pumps for centralized systems
Pump sizing based on glove box volume and purge frequency
Integration with glove box control and safety systems
Replacement and upgrade solutions for existing installations
Vacuum pumps used in glove box systems must deliver stable evacuation, clean operation, and reliable pressure control. Two-stage oil-lubricated pumps remain common, while oil-free scroll and dry screw technologies are increasingly preferred for clean and centralized systems.
Proper pump selection ensures consistent inert atmosphere quality and long-term operational stability.
