Tag: deRadonator

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deradonator update

Electrical approval to operate the deradonator was obtained from WIPP last week, and the column desorption and fire panel certification were completed, finishing up the installation JHA.  The columns were pumped on overnight, and the unit was cycled repeatedly for most of a day running the labview code from the UMass desktop shipped with the unit.  I’m transitioning to software deployed on the deradonator PLC and writing the GUI for access to the data.

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Andrea’s suggestions – June 20

These suggestions stem from the last few entries:

  • I think 3 scfm purge is way too large anyhow, and we should aim at <1 scfm
  • I would try a small tweak to the 8-step cycle, as follows (only open valves listed, start with what is now step 8):
  1. 1-7-3
  2. 1-7-3-6
  3. 1-7-6-10
  4. 1-7-2-6
  5. 2-8-4
  6. 2-8-4-5
  7. 2-8-5-9
  8. 2-8-1-5
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pump update

Installed new fuse and changed the oil, and the pump runs ok.  Installed TC gauge to monitor foreline pressure, which depends strongly on water contamination.  It was 200mTorr oringinally, then 1500mTorr after pumping on Yin for 15min (column very cool to the touch).  I opened the ballast and ran the pump for ~1-2hr, and got 20mTorr (lots of water vapor in the exhaust).  I guess this confirms that we should run with the ballast open normally for this application.

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Some Flow Testing Data

Flow Testing Data 1Table of my first few flow measurements from four configurations. Click to enlarge.

In the next day (6/12/13) I will have a clear table with the rest of my configurations

 

 

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Vacuum pump servicing & rebuilding facilities

Recommended by Bob Hallock and Mark Tuominen:
Mass-Vac (Billerica, MA): http://www.massvac.com

Oerlikon (service centers in Boston, Hartford): http://www.oerlikon.com/leyboldvacuum/en/services/vacuum-service-usa/service-repair-central/

UHV Tech Services (NH): http://www.leyboldrepairbytechservices.com

Phoenix (NJ): http://www.phxequip.com/equipment.3973/4580.aspx

AVAC(Anaheim):  http://www.avac.com/leybold-oerlikon-oil-sealed-pumps.php

EVEY (NJ): http://www.evey.com/mechanical_vacuum_pumps.htm

Provac (Santa Cruz): http://www.provac.com/category.phpcid=20&keywords=Vane_Pumps

Lesker: https://www.lesker.com/deals/reman.cfm

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Thu May 30-31 – deradonator

  • first 1-1-1 map of: manual software channel, slow control panel, valve  (Arthur)
  • place final labels on channels (Jasmine)
  • continue leak checking – snoop (Dan)
  • look at/dismount/disassemble leaky valve 6
  • improve P-gauge wiring and wire P-gauges to slow control (Dan)
  • locate position for safety KF-50 valve (Tim)
  • upload drawing for Matt Swift (Tim)
  • open Kelly’s program:  check channel numbers are the same (or not)
  • orders:  Lesker (plenty of KF-50 orings, pins, KF50-ISO80, KF50 cross), nitrogen, square tubing (Grainger or equiv)
  • Kelly’s code (Arthur)
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deradonator work last weekend, 3/2/13

Arthur, Adam and I:

1) capped one end of one column with charcoal support structure (see photo from inside the column):  mesh skirt was trimmed down to ~3/8″

 

 

 

2)  mounted the column on the frame

3) started filling charcoal.  Initially charcoal was simply filtered to get rid of dust.  Arthur and Dan then tried washing a small batch.

 

 

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GKADA – Saturday Feb. 23

A lot was accomplished today:

1) slow control panel was mounted parallel to the columns:

 

 

 

 

2) one piece of the 3″ tube was test-fitted successfully:

 

 

 

 

3) timid attempt at sifting charcoal with buckets:

 

 

 

I still need to think what the best strategy is

4) found a solution to try for charcoal containment on the edges: