Why solvents wreck your ppm

Open solvents outgas and poison adsorbents, faking a “wet box” and forcing extra regenerations. Control vapor → ppm stays flat.

Rules that actually work

  • Lids on. Keep bottles closed; never leave beakers open in-box.
  • Use the small antechamber and do three vacuum cycles; add a 30–60 s low-pressure soak for solvent-rich loads.
  • Point sources → traps. Put a cold trap or charcoal trap on the return line or near the process.
  • Heat → purge. After heavy solvent use, bake parts low & dry or purge locally before opening to the loop.
  • Data-driven regen. Let dew point & O₂ trends decide, not the calendar.

Quick setup checklist

  • Trap choice:
    • Cold trap for high-boiling/condensable vapors.
    • Activated carbon for aromatics/organics; replace on schedule.
  • Placement: return line or localized fume source; keep flow laminar.
  • Targets: dew point ≤ –40 °C; O₂ ≤ 1–5 ppm; overpressure +3–8 mbar.
  • Logs: record solvent transfers, trap swaps, and post-event recovery curves.

Troubleshooting (symptom → action)

  • Dew point climbs but O₂ flat → solvent vapor → cover sources, refresh trap, run short purge.
  • Both drift up → likely leak or saturated purifier → do leak test; consider regeneration.
  • Recovery time getting longer → trap spent / sieve loading → replace trap; review transfers.

Back to list
Older Glove Box O₂ & Dew Point Sensors: Calibration & Troubleshooting Guide