Glove box facility for handling lithium during feed system loading and cleaning
The initial testing of the open heat pipe design had relied upon the
return of the heat pipe to Thermacore for cleaning and reloading between
experimental runs, an expensive and time consuming exercise. To remove
this constraint and to provide a methode for loading and cleaing the newly
designed lithium feed system for the MAI-LiLFA, a 0.5 m3 stainless
steel Blickman glove box was obtained to provide an inert argon environment
under which to handle the pure lithium.
The glove box facility is shown below.
Glove box facility for handling lithium during feed system loading and cleaning
In addition to being able to load the feed systems without contamination,
we also desired the ability to clean the systems and other small lithium
contaminated components. We accomplish this by the controlled
reaction of lithium and water under the controlled environment of
the glove box facility. The glove box was modified to include a water
inlet and outlet and a 20-liter water tray was installed in the main chamber.
Lithium contaminated components are placed in the water tray and a slightly
positive argon atmosphere in the glove box forces the water to flow through
the chamber as the reaction takes place. The flowing water removes
heat and the lithium hydroxide solution is collected in 50-gallon drums
outside of the glove box for disposal. Throttled pumping and a continuously
circulating argon atmosphere remove the hydrogen gas produced by the reaction.
The figure below is a schematic of the interior of the glove box showing
the cleaning process. The procedure has been successfully employed
to remove up to 100 grams of lithium metal in a single reaction.
Schematic of the interior of the
glove box during controlled lithium-water reaction used to
clean lithium contaminated components.
The lithium reaction product coating the interior of the testing facility after testing are handled through a series of neutralization, venting, and water wipe down stages. Prior to venting the facility, ethanol vapor is introduced into the chamber to react any pure lithium remaining. Reaction gases are then pumped out and the facility is vent via a filtered fan to remove any remaining hazardous gases. The chamber is then open to the laboratory environment and two operators wearing SCBA gear as protection from any remaining vapors and from lithium hydroxide and carbonate dust enter. The feed system and small contaminated components and removed to the glove box and the testing facility is wiped down with damp rags which are collected in buckets for disposal.
