Chemical vessel environmental chamber

Abstract

An environmental chamber comprising a transparent dome shaped housing having an annular conduit, including an exhaust port, affixed to the base of the housing. The housing securely fits over an end of a chemical container, to create a controlled environment within the encapsulated space between the housing and the container. Two cylindrical openings at the top of the housing allow chemical transfer hoses to be connected to the chemical container openings. A pair of gloved access ports allow an operator to access the encapsulated space to manipulate connections between the transfer hoses and the chemical container openings. The top of the housing also includes an intake port for delivering clean purging material into the encapsulated space in order to purge the encapsulated environment of any chemical that escaped from the chemical openings during hook up of the transfer tubing. Purging material, such as air, gas or liquid, flows from the intake port through the encapsulated space into the annular conduit, and finally out through the exhaust port. A sensor may be included for warning of a chemical leak within the protected environment. A tensioned lift mechanism attached to the top of the housing aids in lifting, transportation and storage of detached housings.