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Writer's pictureSNU Nuclear Fuel Cycle & Nonproliferation Lab

Expansion Blog #3 - New arrivals!

November 21, 2022


Last week we took delivery of a new two-person, four port glovebox complete with dual furnaces and relocated an existing two-port glovebox to the new molten salt laboratory to be repurposed for atmosphere controlled TGA-DSC experiments. This marks a key milestone on the path to developing and expanding the groups molten salt and analytical capabilities.


New glovebox for general molten salt studies
 

Phase (2) - Glovebox delivery


Unloading the new glovebox

As with many good things, the day started bright and early with the delivery of a large package on the back of a truck - one of two new gloveboxes for the molten salt laboratory. The new two-person glovebox, will replaced an existing glovebox which is being repurposed for atmospherically controlled Deep Eutectic Solvents work by the DES Team who will remain in the current laboratory along with the Water Chemistry Team. The glovebox is a like-for-like replacement to the current setup.


Planned layout for the new MS lab with the new two-person glovebox and repurposed TGA-DSC glovebox located at the back of the laboratory

Taking delivery of this glovebox marks a key milestone on the path to developing and expanding the groups molten salt capabilities. Housed at the back of the laboratory next to the repurposed TGA-DSC glovebox, it needed to be delivered and setup before the T-shaped glovebox arrives due to space restrictions in the laboratory. In total the the MS laboratory will house three separate gloveboxes:


  • MS Glovebox - Two-person glovebox with furnaces for training and experimental design trials

  • TGA Glovebox - One-person glovebox housing a dedicated TGA-DSC

  • T-shape Glovebox - Six-person glovebox "train" for molten salt studies



The new glovebox was swiftly and carefully unloaded from the truck, which proved to be the easy part. Precision driving of the forklift truck was required to carefully load the glovebox inside the building in one piece, meaning the glovebox did not require dismantling and reassembly which would have been a time consuming and arduous task.


After bringing the glovebox into the building the task of moving it into position and installation was a relatively minor affair. With necessary services having been installed previously, connection of the glovebox took only a few hours to complete. Final setup will take place over the coming weeks with the relocation of the furnaces and transfer of chemicals and other equipment into the glovebox. At the same time a one-person glovebox was relocated from the existing laboratory to the new molten salt laboratory and setup to house a new TGA-DSC.


Glovebox installation time lapse



Phase (2) - Glovebox purpose


The new two-person glovebox will house the two furnaces which have been moved from an older glovebox. One of which is a spectroscopic furnace capable of in-situ and online UV-Vis spectroscopy within molten salt media. The spectroscopic furnace also has the capability of housing electrochemical experiments simultaneously. Located in the same glovebox will be a secondary standard furnace for primitive experiments such as electrochemical treatment and corrosion studies. The glovebox will also function as a place for training and experimental design trials. This will provide the opportunity to new students to gain a solid grasp on glovebox work and how to operate safely and securely within them before 'graduating' to the larger T-shape glovebox, set to arrive shortly, which will be reserved for conducting established experimental protocols and mid-long term experimental programs.


New 2-person glovebox sited in the molten salt laboratory for the purpose of training and experimental design

The molten salt laboratory will also house atmospheric controlled TGA-DSC capabilities, curtesy of repurposing an older glovebox. This will allow for the study of not only molten salts, but also other systems such as Deep Eutectic Solvents in the absence of moisture and oxygen.


Re-purposed glovebox to house a new TGA-DSC for atmosphere controlled experiments

...Now it is just a waiting game before the BEAST arrives!


New T-shape glovebox. Construction completed and ready to ship from the manufactures!

 

Further Reading: Expansion Blog 1: SNUNFC is expanding! Expansion Blog 2: Taking shape


 

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