FR3026319A1 - GAS SUPPLYING DEVICE OF LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF DISPENSING IN THE DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device adapted for coupling a box-to-glove type laboratory equipment to one or more inert gas distribution plants while optimizing the conditions for maintaining the environment and allowing a mobility of the 'equipment.

Description

GAS SUPPLYING DEVICE FOR LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND METHOD OF DISPENSING THE DEVICE. 1. Field of the invention The invention relates to the field of laboratory enclosures, such as, for example, devices usually called glove boxes, and which constitute sealed equipment suitable for handling and / or experimentation in specific atmospheres and controlled. 2. State of the art Laboratory glove-boxes are sealed enclosures suitable for carrying out experimentation work in a particular atmosphere or under vacuum. The case of a particular atmosphere may correspond to the presence of one or more dangerous substances or one or more gases, inert or not. Confinement in an inert atmosphere is particularly useful for chemists to preserve molecules that are long and / or complex, or particularly expensive to produce, and which exhibit increased fragility and / or sensitivity in an uncontrolled atmospheric environment. The work carried out using box-to-gloves enclosures 25 is most often carried out in laboratories housing personnel using devices and materials specific to one or more areas of study and experimentation associated with their equipment. laboratory. The equipment and devices they use are often confined to one or more special purpose premises. Moreover, and depending on the configuration of the buildings, it is not uncommon for several laboratories and different teams to share the occupation of the same building, each of the laboratories having a specificity and / or experiments of its own. A gas supply should ideally be possible individually for each laboratory, or at least for each room used for experiments and which require (or may sometimes require) the use of controlled atmosphere enclosures. On the other hand, the supply of the premises equipped with gas distribution systems (possibly inert) is, normally (according to the standards in force), done from outside the buildings concerned and through a common distribution network. to all the premises. Generally, inert gas distribution plants consist of ventilated rooms (sometimes with partitions made of metal mesh or related materials), one or more bottles containing the gas or gases and connecting elements such as: Receptacles or valves, useful for connecting or isolating the bottles to the distribution network.

A first problem inherent in the architecture of the distribution network lies in the fact that if a supply valve is manipulated (or kept) accidentally in the open position in one of the premises, the corresponding bottle (s) in the central distribution unit will be emptied. until a pressure drop such that after a while, 20 all the equipment supplied can no longer be controlled and the chemical elements confined in the enclosures will degrade, making potentially decrepit development work, d experimentation or observation. This is also the case if there is a leak in the distribution network or in any of the equipment supplied. A second problem arises from the type of pipe used in a collective distribution network, common to a set of premises housing box-to-glove enclosures fed with inert gases. Indeed, the elements of the existing networks, whose physical characteristics are standardized, are such that the internal pressures are limited to a few bars. This pressure level does not always meet the requirements of certain experimental work and does not allow, in particular, when manipulations are likely to cause pressure variations within a glove box, to compensate for these pressures. variations so that the pressure inside the glove box is always controlled with the required accuracy.

A third problem, which depends on the architecture of the distribution system, is that the disconnection of a glove box from the distribution network inevitably leads, in view of the lack of perfect sealing, to a drop in inside the enclosure. In the case of an inert atmosphere, a decrease in the internal pressure of a chamber carries a risk of pollution by the entry of external components to the enclosure. In a context of specifically controlled and inert atmosphere, the mobility of a glove-box is delicate in view of the fragility of the contained molecules.

Thus, the existing solutions have drawbacks, particularly with regard to the safety and reliability of the controlled atmosphere work, inside a box-type enclosure equipment. 3. Summary of the invention. The invention makes it possible to improve the state of the art, by proposing a device for supplying gas, the device being adapted to supply gas to an enclosure connected to an output of this device, from a first input adapted to the connection to a first remote gas distribution center, the supply device comprising: a second input adapted to connect to a second remote gas distribution center; a pressure control device adapted to measuring a first inlet pressure dependent on a pressure delivered by the first central connected to the first input or dependent on the state of at least one element adapted to the distribution of the gas from the first central, - a valve adapted to the interruption and the establishment of the supply of gas from the first inlet to at least the outlet, controlled at least by the pressure control device; a buffer gas adapted to supply gas to the enclosure connected to the outlet, directly or through one or more elements, and, a connecting element adapted to the supply of gas to the buffer tank since the first input connected to the first central, via the valve and / or the second input connected to the second central. Advantageously, the gas dispensed is an inert gas. According to one embodiment of the invention, the output is adapted to the connection of an enclosure configured for carrying out laboratory work. This work is, for example, development work, analysis, observation, manufacturing or processing. According to one embodiment of the invention, the first connection input to the first central is adapted to receive the gas from the first central further connected to a plurality of receiving devices arranged in a plurality of premises. According to one embodiment of the invention, the buffer reservoir of the device contains a quantity of gas adapted to maintain a pressure of the gas in the enclosure connected to the outlet, above a predefined pressure threshold and for a predefined time. According to one embodiment of the invention, the device contains at least one isolation element adapted to make mobile an assembly comprising the device and a speaker connected to the output, the assembly then being autonomous to maintain a minimum pressure of gas in the connected enclosure for a predetermined time. The invention further relates to a method of supplying gas to the gas supply device described above, the method being adapted to supply the gas to a chamber connected to an output of the device, from a first input of the device adapted for connection to a first remote gas distribution center, the method comprising: - a connection of the device to a second input adapted to the supply of gas from a second remote central gas distribution, - a control a first pressure dependent on a pressure delivered by the first central connected to the first input of the device or dependent on the state of at least one element adapted to the distribution of gas from the first remote central, - a command a valve adapted to an interruption or an establishment of the gas supply from the first inlet to at least the outlet, controlled at least according to a result of the pressure control. According to one embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises filling a buffer gas tank adapted to supply gas to the enclosure connected to the outlet, directly or via one or more elements, from the first input or the second input, depending on the valve control. According to one embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises a disconnection of the first and second inputs of the device 30 adapted to maintain a pressure of the gas in a chamber connected to the output of the device, above a predefined pressure threshold and for a predefined duration.

Advantageously, a device according to the invention makes it possible to maintain a sufficient pressure of useful gas to protect the elements and / or molecules that are the subject of studies and located inside a "box-glove" enclosure. A device according to the invention also makes it possible to avoid pressure variations detrimental to the integrity of the contents of a speaker connected to the device. 4. List of figures.

The invention will be better understood, and other features and advantages will become apparent on reading the description which follows, the description referring to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a gas supply device, adapted to the supply of gas to a chamber connected to an output of the device according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 represents the feed device of FIG. 1, supplying in inert gas a box-to-gloves enclosure, in a global installation, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 is a diagram showing steps of a method of supply in the gas supply device which appears in Figures 1 and 2, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the invention. 5. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention.

In Figures 1 to 2, the modules shown are functional units, which may or may not correspond to physically distinguishable units. For example, these modules or some of them are grouped into a single component. In contrast, according to other embodiments, some modules are composed of separate physical entities. FIG. 1 illustrates a device D of gas supply, adapted to the supply of gas to a chamber E connected to an output S of the device, from a first input E1 adapted to connect to a first central CD1 remote from gas supply, the supply device D further comprises a second input E2 adapted for connection to a second central CD2 remote gas distribution, a pressure control device CTR adapted to the measurement of a first pressure of input PI dependent on a pressure delivered by the first central CD1 connected to the first input El or dependent on the state of at least one element adapted to the distribution of gas from the first central CD1. The device D also comprises a valve EV1 adapted to the interruption and the establishment of the supply of gas from the first input E1 to at least the output S, controlled at least by the pressure control device CTR, and a CAPA buffer gas tank adapted to supply gas to the enclosure E connected to the outlet S, directly or via one or more elements, and finally comprises a connecting element T adapted to the gas supply of the CAPA buffer tank from the first input El connected to the first central CD1, via the valve and / or said second input E2 connected to the second central CD2. The pressure controller CTR, which includes a pressure control pressure switch, controls the valve EV1 via a control signal SCTR. Of course, the device D may comprise, depending on the inlet and outlet pressure characteristics, elements such as one or more pressure limiters, one or more nonreturn valves, one or more safety valves, and one or more filters. These elements, well known to those skilled in the art, are not described in more detail here, their description is not necessary for the understanding of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the device D supplying the enclosure E with inert gas in a global installation. In this installation, the inert gas delivered by the central CD1 is available for all the enclosures comprising the enclosures E, E1, E2, E3, E4 and E5, depending, of course, valves located in the premises comprising the or the corresponding speakers. The supply to these enclosures is, in fact, through a Li distribution network comprising valves (valves) in each of the premises L01, L02, L03, L04 and L05. Thus, if an enclosure is disconnected in a room, if any leak exists or if a malfunction results in a loss of gas from the distribution center CD1, the device D, which controls the pressure P1 available at its inlet El , is adapted to advantageously connect the gas supply to its output S at its input E2. The input E2 is connected to the distribution center CD2, called the "emergency" central unit and the output S is fed through the CAPA gas buffer capacity. Practically, and according to the embodiment of the invention, a lowering of the pressure P1 below a predefined threshold, causes the closing of the valve EV1, so that, in particular because of the use of anti-backflow valves. back, on the links L10 and L20 of the device D, the capacitance CAPA is supplied with pressure (in gas) from the input E2. The input E2 is subjected to a pressure P2 which then feeds the CAPA buffer capacitor via the link L20 and the connection element T. The buffer capacitor CAPA feeds the speaker E, connected to the output S via a link L3. Advantageously, the presence of the buffer capacity CAPA allows the disconnection of the assembly composed of the enclosure E and the device D, of the distribution centers CD1 and CD2, and to then have a range in terms of gas delivery to the enclosure E, then powered by the buffer CAPA which operates as a source and which ensures the maintenance of a pressure in the enclosure E above a predefined minimum threshold and for a predefined duration.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing steps of the feeding method in the gas supply device D which appears in Figures 1 and 2, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

The step SO is an initialization step that precedes the connection of the device D to a first "collective" gas distribution center CD1 and a second "emergency" gas distribution center CD2. Here, the term "collective distribution center" refers to a distribution center connected to a network adapted to the delivery of one or more gases in a plurality of premises. In addition, the terms "backup central station" mean a secondary distribution center that can be used in the event of a shortage of gas delivered by the collective distribution center or in the event of malfunction of the latter.

At this step, the device CTR module D, adapted to the control of the input pressure P1 applied to the input El, detects a pressure similar to the atmospheric pressure and configures the valve EV1 so that the output S is fed to from the E2 input, by default.

Stage Si comprises the detection, by the control module CTR, of the connection of the input El to a distribution center, in particular by the presence of an input pressure Pi, which is consequently greater than atmospheric pressure and representative the pressure available at the output of the CD1 distribution center.

Step S2 comprises a measurement, using a pressure switch integrated in the control module CTR, of the pressure P1 at the input El. Advantageously, the measurement of P1 is representative of the capacity of the distribution center CD1. to provide a suitable pressure for laboratory work in an enclosure connected to the network supplying inert gas from this plant. Step S3 comprises a command of the valve EV1, depending on the measurement operated by CTR, if necessary. When the pressure P1 measured at the inlet E1 by the pressure control device CTR is above a predetermined level, the valve E1 is configured so that the buffer capacity CAPA is supplied with pressure by at least the gas. from the input El. Advantageously, and according to a variant, the different elements that make up the gas transport links in the device D can be configured so that the supply of the buffer capacity is done from the inputs E1 and E2 simultaneously , as a function of the possible flow limiting elements and any non-return valves in presence. However, since the controller CTR detects that the pressure P1 is below a predetermined threshold, the valve EV1 is controlled "in closing" to isolate the input E1 of the links allowing the delivery of gas between the input E2 and CAPA buffer capacity, as well as the output S which feeds the enclosure E, the latter being fed through the CAPA buffer capacity.

The device D operates so that there is a loopback in step S2 after step S3, constituting a constant "monitoring" (or control) of the pressure P1 according to which the valve EV1 is controlled in opening or in closing.

Advantageously, according to one variant, the valve EV1 is controlled in "all or nothing", which means that it is configured to be either completely closed or completely open.

According to one variant, the valve EV1 is controlled in position, thus allowing a predefined flow rate, as a function of the measured pressure P1. Advantageously, the detection by the pressure control device CTR of a pressure value P1 below a predetermined threshold for a predetermined duration causes the activation of a visual indicator and / or sound, for example. Cleverly, and according to a degree of measurement accuracy specific to the CTR control device, a hysteresis is programmed to prevent a large frequency shift of the EV1 valve, from one state to another (open or closed), when the measured pressure P1 is close to the predetermined threshold. According to the embodiment, the pressure Pi, parameterizable, is of the order of a few bars (3 bars, for example). According to the embodiment, the predetermined duration during which a decrease of the pressure P1 below a threshold causes the activation of the control signal SCTR of the valve EV1 is a few seconds (for example 30 seconds). This time is in practice dependent on the gas capacity of the CAPA buffer capacity and is configurable. In other words, the device D of gas supply, is adapted to the supply of inert gas to the enclosure E connected to the output S of the device, from the input El adapted to the connection to the first CD1 central remote gas distribution, used as the main source of gas. The supply device D comprises the second input E2 adapted for connection to the second central CD2 remote gas distribution, used in particular as "emergency" distribution center. It also comprises the pressure control device CTR, built around a pressure switch and adapted to measure the inlet pressure P1 representative of the pressure delivered by the first central CD1 connected to the input E1 or dependent on the state of at least one element (valve or valve, for example) adapted to the distribution of gas from the central CD1. The device D further comprises the valve EV1 adapted to the interruption and the establishment of the supply of gas from the inlet E1 to at least the outlet S, controlled at least by the pressure control device CTR, a reservoir CAPA buffer gas adapted to supply gas to the enclosure E connected to the output S, directly or through one or more elements, and the connecting element T adapted to the supply of gas CAPA buffer tank from the input El connected to the central CD1 via the valve and / or the input E2 connected to the second central CD2.

Advantageously, the device D comprises connecting elements that can be screwed and unscrewed in order to disconnect it from one or the other of the gas supply sources. The device D is thus adapted to make mobile and autonomous a set comprising it and comprising the enclosure E connected to its output S. The set composed of the device D and the enclosure E is then made mobile and advantageously autonomous to maintain a minimum gas pressure in the enclosure E for a predetermined time. Controlling the pressure P1 (step S2) by the pressure controller CTR and the control of the valve EV1 (step S3) according to the pressure control are important steps (and functions) of the method of supplying gas implemented by the device. The method operating the control of the valve EV1 is adapted to the supply of inert gas to the enclosure E connected to an output S of the device D from the input El.

It comprises the connection Si of the device D, via its second input E2 adapted to the supply of gas from the second remote central CD2 gas distribution, the control 32 of the pressure P1 dependent and representative of a pressure delivered by the central CD1 connected to the input E1 and dependent on the state of at least one element adapted to the distribution of gas from the remote unit CD1 (a valve open to the open air, for example). The control S3 of the valve EV1 is operated in order to interrupt (by closing) or to establish the supply of gas from the inlet E1 to at least the outlet S. The control of the valve E1 is controlled at least according to of the result of the control of the pressure Pl. According to one variant, a manual command is accessible to the user, priority over the automatic control operated by the controller 5 CTR. The method also comprises a filling of the buffer tank CAPA adapted to supply gas to the enclosure E connected to the output S, directly or via one or more elements, from the input El or the E2 input according to the control and the configuration of the EV1 valve. Advantageously, the gas supply method comprises a possible disconnection of the first and second inputs E1 and E2 of the device D1, adapted to maintain a sufficient gas pressure in the chamber 15 connected to the output S, above a predefined pressure threshold and for a predefined duration, thanks to the CAPA buffer capacity. According to the embodiment, the valves used are solenoid valves. According to one variant, the valves used can be pneumatically controlled, for example (pneumatic valve). The invention is not limited to the single embodiment described above, but to any device adapted to supply gas to an enclosure useful for laboratory work (including storage), which device comprises a reservoir buffer capacity of gas, and is adapted to supply the gas via the internal buffer capacity from a backup input as soon as the pressure detected on a main input is less than a predetermined value for a predetermined duration. In addition, the device according to the invention can be used for supplying gas to a spectrometer, calorimeter or component cabinet device, by way of example.

According to the embodiment, the gas applied to the so-called "emergency" inlet and identical to the gas applied to the so-called main inlet. According to a variant of the embodiment, the gas applied to the so-called "emergency" inlet is different from the gas applied to the so-called "main" inlet. Advantageously, the volume of the buffer capacity is determined relative to the maximum volume of an enclosure that can be powered via the device.

The invention also applies to a device equipped with more than two inputs and / or a plurality of outputs and for which the pressure on at least one of the inputs is measured so that the device is adapted to provide a gas via an internal buffer capacity, to one or more of the outputs, and from at least one emergency input as soon as the pressure detected on this input (subject to a pressure measurement) is less than a predetermined value for a predetermined duration. The invention also relates to any method of supplying gas in a device adapted to supply pressurized gas a chamber useful for laboratory work, which method implements connections to respectively main and secondary distribution centers and a controlling pressure from the main plant and switching the supply of gas from the secondary plant if the controlled pressure from the main plant is insufficient.

Claims (9)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device (D) for supplying gas, said device (D) being adapted to supply said gas to an enclosure (E) connected to an output (S) of said device, from a first input (El) adapted to connecting to a first central (CD1) remote gas distribution, said supply device (D) being characterized in that it comprises: a second input (E2) adapted for connection to a remote central second (CD2) for distributing gas, a pressure control device (CTR) adapted to measure a first pressure (P1) dependent on a pressure delivered by said first central connected to said first input or dependent on the state at least one element adapted to the distribution of said gas from said first central (CD1), a valve (EV1) adapted to the interruption and the establishment of the supply of gas from said first input (El) to at least said output (S), controlled at least by said pressure control device (CTR), a buffer gas reservoir (CAPA) adapted to supply gas to said enclosure (E) connected to said outlet (S), directly or through one or more elements , and, a junction element (T) adapted to supply said buffer tank (CAPA) with gas from said first inlet (El)) connected to said first central unit (CD1) via said valve and / or said second inlet ( E2) connected to said second center (CD2). 2. Device according to the preceding claim characterized in that said gas is an inert gas. 3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said output is adapted to the connection of an enclosure configured for carrying out laboratory work. 4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first connection to said first central is adapted to receive said gas from said first central connected further to a plurality of receiving devices arranged in a plurality of local. 5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said buffer tank of said device contains an amount of said gas adapted to maintain a pressure of said gas in said enclosure connected to said outlet, above a threshold preset pressure and for a preset time. 6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains at least one isolation element adapted to make mobile an assembly comprising said device and said enclosure connected to said output, said assembly then being autonomous to maintain a minimum pressure of said gas in said connected enclosure for a predetermined time. 7. A method of feeding into a gas supply device (D), said method being adapted to supply said gas to an enclosure (E) connected to an outlet (S) of said device (D), from a first input (E1) of said device (D) adapted for connection to a first central (CD1) remote gas distribution, said method comprising: a connection (Si) of said device to a second input adapted to the gas supply from a second remote gas distribution center, a control (S2) of a first pressure (P1) dependent on a pressure delivered by said first central unit (CD1) connected to said first input (E1) of said device (D) or dependent the state of at least one element adapted to the distribution of said gas from said remote first central (CD1), a control (S3) of a valve (EV1) adapted to an interruption or an establishment of the gas supply since said first entry e (E1) to at least said output (S), controlled at least as a function of a result of said control of said pressure (P1). 8. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it further comprises a filling of a buffer gas tank adapted to supply gas to said enclosure connected to said outlet, directly or through one or more elements, from said first input or said second input as a function of said valve control. 9. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 8, characterized in that it further comprises a disconnection of said first and second inputs of said device adapted to maintain a pressure of said gas in a chamber connected to said output of said device , above a predefined pressure threshold and for a predefined duration.30