John Wong wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote:  Monday, November 07, 2016, 13:29 UO2/C green was prepared Nov 3rd, 2016. This is the first cast made with the new batch of UO2 [but from the same purchase as the last batch] The cast peeled off the glass nicely Nov 4th, 2016 and finished drying over the weekend. Some materials were stuck on the WC jar wall and balls, consistent with every time. Initial UO2 powder used = 50.16g (Inventory R-01032A, UO2 + bottle = 1078.15g before use) Graphite powder used = 10.03g Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 61.91g  The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet. The Ta-target boat was wrapped with 3-layers of heat shield and installed in evap1 today. Chamber is currently pumping down, IG1 = 2.4e-5 Torr. Target boat will be ramped up to 520A at the rate of 0.1A/min. Vacuum limit stop at 5.0e-5 Torr, backing off at 6.0e-5 Torr.  Tuesday, November 08, 2016, 07:43 IG1 = 2.4e-6 Torr Tapped up to 35A, 0.50V Waited ~50min, vacuum stable. IG1 = 1.3e-5 Torr Initiating auto-ramp    Tuesday, November 15, 2016, 09:59 TGHT reached to 520A/5.12V; however the pressure was still remained high at the limit 5.0e-5 Torr which indicating that the carbonization process isn't complete yet. Increase TGHT to 520A at a ramping rate of 0.1A/min.

 Wednesday, November 16, 2016, 11:55

*John increased maxTGHT setpoint to 530A not 520A

When the TGHT reached 520A, the vacuum was still at it's limit. Usually the vacuum starts to drop and stabilize slightly before the max setpoint is reached.

In the photo from UCx_flk10 at ~490A, the vacuum started to drop indicating the carbonization process was complete.

In the image posted from the current carbonization process one can see the vacuum was still at its limit when the TGHT reached its max set point of 520A meaning the carbonization process remains incomplete.

 Thursday, November 17, 2016, 07:36

Vacuum still high, carbonization remains incomplete.

Remained at 530A for ~18hrs

TGHT = 530A, 5.24V

IG1 = 3.8e-5 Torr

Increasing max setpoint to 540A.

 Thursday, November 17, 2016, 13:54

Vacuum remains high after ramping up to 540A, IG1 = 4.5e-5 Torr - still not fully carbonized

TGHT = 540A, 5.36V

Increasing max setpoint to 550A

 Thursday, November 17, 2016, 15:29

Vacuum still high

Increasing max setpoint to 580A

See excel to confirm this remains under 4kW

Wouldn't want to go much above 4kW otherwise container will break

 Friday, November 18, 2016, 13:14

Vacuum stable and decreasing - carbonization process complete.

Evap1 has remained at max setpoints for ~6.5hrs

IG1 = 5.6e-6 Torr

TGHT = 580A, 5.69V

Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min

 Monday, November 21, 2016, 16:20

Vented in Ar and opened up evap1 today.

Stored in glove box.

UC2 flakes produced = 47.23g

 Tuesday, November 29, 2016, 16:13

UO2/C green was prepared Nov 23rd, 2016.

The cast peeled off the glass nicely Nov 24th, 2016 and finished drying over the weekend.

Some materials were stuck on the WC jar wall and balls, consistent with every time.

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.61g (Inventory R-01032A, UO2 + bottle = 1028.05g before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.16g

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 61.94g 

The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet.

A new Ta target boat is being used due to the previous one being old and is now very expanded.

The last round of flakes being carbonized [UC2flk_13] showed a slight change in current and power from previous carbonization process', also indicating the target boat should be retired.

The new boat has only been used once in evap1 to sinter some endcaps earlier in the year.

This target boat is slightly different than the old one because both ends are open, no endcaps are attached to the boat.

The Ta-target boat was wrapped with 3-layers of heat shield and installed in evap1 today.

Chamber is currently pumping down...

Target boat will be ramped up to 520A at the rate of 0.1A/min.

Vacuum limit stop at 5.0e-5 Torr, backing off at 6.0e-5 Torr.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016, 13:09

IG1 = 3.2e-6 Torr

Tapped up to 35A, 0.34V

Waited ~2hrs, vacuum stable.

IG1 = 8.7e-6 Torr

Initiating auto-ramp

 Monday, December 12, 2016, 09:15

Vacuum stable - carbonization process complete.

Evap1 remained at max setpoints over wknd

IG1 = 1.47e-6 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 5.12V

Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min

 Tuesday, December 13, 2016, 16:30

Vented in Ar and opened up evap1 today.

As previously mentioned this new target boat has no endcaps and one can see in the photo more materials have dispersed onto the sides of evap1

These materials appear to be mostly graphite since there are no visible holes through the graphite wrapping that surrounds the UC2 flakes.

Stored in glove box.

 Thursday, February 16, 2017, 15:04

Target container was previously coated with TaC spray and sintered.

Container is wrapped with 3 layers of Ta-heat shield, including the center block

The target consists of 200 discs of UCx with 7.3cm in length [6 packs of 5 + 170 single discs].

Discs in target are arranged as follows: 5singles / 1pack / 40singles / 1pack / 40singles / 2packs / 40singles / 1pack / 40singles / 1pack / 5singles

A regular TaC coated endcap is inserted left, wrt the ionizer tube pointing down.

The right side is open with a TaC coated spring to help hold materials in.

The chamber is currently pumping down.

TGHT will be ramped up to 475A at 0.1A/min [same current used to reach 1900C in evap2 when sintering TaC coating - elog340 evap2]

Parameter setup: 5.0e-5 good vac, 6.0e-5 bad vac.

NOTE: small bug in evap1 IOC. when current is tapped up 1A, it auto-taps back down 0.01A. should be OK, but will keep an eye on evaporator during conditioning process and acct for changes.

 Friday, February 17, 2017, 09:56

IG1 = 1.56e-6 Torr

Tapped up manually to 35A

Vacuum stable.

IG1 = 1.56e-6 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp.

 Friday, February 24, 2017, 15:09

Local TGHT 473 A 4.63 V

Monday, February 27, 2017, 09:06 

Target has remained at max setpoints for 20+hrs [epics problems and archives currently not working so unable to find out exact time]

TGHT = 475A, 4.67V

IG1 = 1.48e-6 Torr

Conditioning process is now complete.

Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min

 Tuesday, February 28, 2017, 12:00

UCx conditioning process complete.

Vented in Ar and transferred to glove box this morning.

 Tuesday, April 11, 2017, 09:44

A few photos taken of the target post-conditioning.

Note a few flakes came out from one end - end disc from 'open' side flaked off.

 Friday, March 03, 2017, 08:53

UO2/C green was prepared Feb 28th, 2017.

The cast peeled off the glass nicely March 2nd, 2017 and loaded into evap1.

Some materials were stuck on the WC jar wall and balls, consistent with every time.

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.08g (Inventory R-01032A, UO2 + bottle = 977.24g before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.05g

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 63.21g 

The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet.

The Ta-target boat was wrapped with 3-layers of heat shield and installed in evap1 today.

Chamber pumped down overnight.

Target boat will be ramped up to 520A at the rate of 0.1A/min.

Vacuum limit stop at 5.0e-5 Torr, backing off at 6.0e-5 Torr.

IG1 = 3.2e-6 Torr

Tapped up to 35A, 0.40V

Waited ~5hrs, vacuum stable.

IG1 = 6.8e-6 Torr

Initiating auto-ramp

 Monday, March 06, 2017, 08:47

Evap1 tripped off fri night.

See attached screenshot of strip tool.

Had continued to ramp up and was at ~340A, but since the power supply had tripped off this was not actually being applied.

TGHT set back to zero, auto-ramp turned off.

Will investigate further before re-starting...

 Tuesday, March 07, 2017, 09:50

Have not figured out reasoning behind power trip.

According to controls, there were no power bumps at that time.

Water was still on - had not tripped off.

Tapped back up manually to 40A yesterday morning.

Remained at 40A overnight.

IG1 = 4.46e-6 Torr this morning.

TGHT = 40A, 0.38V

Re-initiated auto-ramp.

 Monday, March 13, 2017, 15:46 by AM

IG1 = 5.2E-5 Torr

TGHT= 436A 4.28V

Thursday, March 16, 2017, 08:37 by AM

TGHT reached 520A @ 5.37V this morning. Vacuum  at 6.2E-6 Torr

Friday, March 17, 2017, 08:21 by AM

520A @ 5.37V this morning. Vacuum  at 2.2E-6 Torr

Ramping down

 Thursday, April 20, 2017, 11:31

Target container was previously coated with TaC spray and sintered.

Container is wrapped with 3 layers of Ta-heat shield, including the center block

The target consists of 220 discs of UCx with 7.55cm in length [6 packs of 5 + 190 single discs].

Discs in target are arranged as follows: 1pack / 45singles / 1pack / 50singles / 2packs / 50singles / 1pack / 45singles / 1pack

A regular TaC coated endcap is inserted left, wrt the ionizer tube pointing down.

The right side is open with a TaC coated spring to help hold materials in.

The chamber is currently pumping down.

TGHT will be ramped up to 490A at 0.1A/min [same current used to reach 1900C in evap2 when sintering TaC coating - elog350 evap2]

Parameter setup: 5.0e-5 good vac, 6.0e-5 bad vac.

 Friday, April 21, 2017, 10:14

IG1 = 2.47e-6 Torr

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Waited ~1.5hrs, vacuum stable IG1 = 2.37e-6 Torr

Initiating auto-ramp.

 Thursday, April 27, 2017, 09:19

IG1 = 4.611e-6 Torr

TGHT = 490A, 4.93V

Target has remained at max setpoints for ~9hrs.

Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min

 Tuesday, May 16, 2017, 13:21

Update: 

Target looks good, see photos attached post sintering.

Gold tint on container commonly seen with the Uranium targets.

Orange colouring on inside of container end - also common.

Both endcaps in and handed off to assembly yesterday.

Laura Lambert wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: Laura Lambert wrote:  Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 14:42 UO2/C green was prepared May 16th, 2017. The cast peeled off the glass nicely May 17th, 2017. Initial UO2 powder used = 50.25g (Inventory R-01032A, UO2 + bottle = 876.80g before use) Graphite powder used = 10.32g Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 61.70g  The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet. The Ta-target boat was wrapped with 1 long layer of heat shield and installed in evap1 today. Chamber pumped down today. Target boat will be ramped up to 520A at the rate of 0.1A/min. Vacuum limit stop at 5.0e-5 Torr, backing off at 6.0e-5 Torr. IG1 = 4.80e-6 Torr Tapped up to 30A, 0.45V Waited ~1hr, vacuum stable. IG1 = 8.3e-6 Torr Initiating auto-ramp  Wednesday, May 24, 2017, 09:26 IG1 = 5.5e-5 Torr TGHT = 64A, 0.72V Vacuum currently yo-yo-ing. Changing vacuum limits to attempt to speed up process. Vacuum limit stop at 1.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 5.0e-4 Torr. Once vacuum settles and vacuum starts to drop will adjust limits again accordingly.  Wednesday, May 24, 2017, 11:17 IG1 = 1.2e-4 Torr TGHT = 69A, 0.74V TGHT direct readout = 66A, 0.73V Thermometer attached to TP = 41.0C Room temp = 24.0C Wednesday, May 24, 2017, 13:16  Vacuum going well. Stable yo-yo-ing at current vacuum limit. TP = 41.5C, RT = 23.9C IG1 = 1.2e-4 Torr TGHT = 71A, 0.77V Increasing vacuum limit stop to 2.0e-4 Torr. Thursday, May 25, 2017, 13:03 Vacuum has stabilized. TGHT = 188A, 1.85V IG1 = 2.2e-5 Torr. Adjusting vacuum limits so when 2nd phase starts, vacuum does not spike. Vacuum limit stop at 5.0e-5 Torr, backing off at 1.0e-4 Torr.    Friday, May 26, 2017, 13:40 Everything tripped off this morning at around 4:30am This was not due to the vacuum spiking as one would expect. No power bumps according to  ISAC controls. Looking back on elogs  [see elog i.d. 145] evap1 had also tripped off during the last round of carbonizing UO2, however last time everything tripped off ~60A. For last trip off the water valve remained open and on. This time  WV1 showed yellow in the TGHT epics box, off under WV epics box, but black [open] in the WV epics box diagram [see screenshot for better understanding]. Water valves are closed - confirmed in person - water wheels not turning. Trip-off occured ~275A. Vacuum was stable at trip-off point; IG1 ~6e-6 Torr  Reason: currently unknown.        Friday, May 26, 2017, 15:43 Starting pumping down again this afternoon while trying to understand trip-off - no progress on that end. IG1 = 4.9e-6 Torr Tapped up to 40A, 0.24V Vacuum spiked to 2e-5 Torr Backed off to 35A, 0.20V Showing lower voltage output than the last round that had tripped off...but ramping is so early on/ low current, hard to tell... Vacuum stable. IG1 = 5.4e-6 Torr Target boat will be ramped up to 275A [trip-off point] at the rate of 0.1A/min. Vacuum limit stop at 5.0e-5 Torr, backing off at 6.0e-5 Torr.   TP = 37.9C, RT = 25.2C    Monday, May 29, 2017, 08:21 Initially it looks like not enough time had been allowed for the vacuum to settle before initiating the auto-ramp resulting in the vacuum spiking and tripping off the system. A closer look shows that is not the case. Note: the vacuum limits were set to stop at 5.0e-5 Torr, backing off at 6.0e-5 Torr.    The TGHT started to back off when the vacuum was ~6e-6 Torr, this is considered a good vacuum and should not have caused the system to initiate backing off yet. Over the course of ~1min, evap1 had backed off all the way down to 0A. At this point the vacuum was now up to ~1.75e-5 Torr and still rising. ~34min after the TGHT had reached 0A, the vacuum eventually reached 8e-4 Torr and tripped off the evaporator. See photos attached.

 Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 07:41

Still unsure as to why evap1 tripped off again.

Put evap1 back under vacuum/ turned turbo pump on and opened isolation valve yesterday afternoon.

Vacuum good this morning...nothing tripped off...

 Tuesday, May 30, 2017, 08:21

IG1 = 2.3e-6 Torr

Tapped up manually to 40A, 0.24V

Waited ~1hr

IG1 = 4.5e-6 Torr

Initiated auto-ramp at 0.2A/min up to a final setpoint of 250A

 Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 09:37

IG1 = 2.4e-6 Torr

TGHT = 250A, 2.57V

Increasing max setpoint to 275A [the trip off point] at a rate of 0.2A/min

Vacuum is currently stable and low; increasing limits to:

Vacuum limit stop at 1.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 5.0e-4 Torr.

 Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 13:39

IG1 = 3.7e-6 Torr

TGHT = 275A, 2.80V

Increasing max setpoint to final setpoint of 520A at a rate of 0.2A/min

Vacuum is currently stable and low; keeping  current limits.

Wednesday, May 31, 2017, 15:57

IG1 = 8.14e-6 Torr

TGHT = 300A, 3.08V

Vacuum stable.

Decreasing ramping rate to 0.1A/min for overnight heating.

turbo pump = 40.5C; room temp = 25.1C

 Thursday, June 01, 2017, 09:00

IG1 = 4.2e-5 Torr

TGHT = 396A, 4.06V

Vacuum stable.

Increasing ramping rate to 0.2A/min.

turbo pump = 41.6C; room temp = 24.3C

 Thursday, June 01, 2017, 13:18

IG1 = 1.25e-4 Torr

TGHT = 439A, 4.48V

Vacuum stable.

Changing vacuum limits.

Vacuum limit stop at 2.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 5.0e-4 Torr.

turbo pump = 42.3C; room temp = 24.6C

 Thursday, June 01, 2017, 15:48

IG1 = 1.95e-4 Torr

TGHT = 467A, 4.81V

Vacuum stable.

Changing vacuum limits and ramping rate for heating overnight.

Decreasing ramping rate to 0.1A/min

Vacuum limit stop at 1.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 5.0e-4 Torr.

turbo pump = 44.1C; room temp = 25.3C

 Friday, June 02, 2017, 07:19

IG1 = 1.26e-4 Torr

TGHT = 473A, 4.77V

Vacuum stable.

Changing vacuum limits and ramping rate.

Increasing ramping rate to 0.2A/min

Vacuum limit stop at 2.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 5.0e-4 Torr.

 Friday, June 02, 2017, 10:18

IG1 = 2.04e-4 Torr

TGHT = 498A, 5.08V

Vacuum stable.

Changing vacuum limits.

Vacuum limit stop at 3.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 5.0e-4 Torr.

Fan has been inserted - pointed at turbo pump, TP temp's have decreased.

tp = 32.1C; rt = 24.7C

 Friday, June 02, 2017, 13:22

IG1 = 2.4e-4 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 5.40V

Vacuum stable and decreasing.

Carbonization process almost complete.

Will remain at max setpoints over the weekend.

TP = 28.2C; RT = 24.5C

 Monday, June 05, 2017, 08:51

IG1 = 1.75e-6 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 5.29V

Carbonization process complete!

Remained at max setpoints over the weekend.

Initiating auto cool at 1.0A/min

 Tuesday, June 06, 2017, 15:56

Vented in Ar and removed today.

Currently in glove box.

 Monday, June 12, 2017, 11:44

Flakes produced: 48.00g

 Monday, June 12, 2017, 11:41

UO2/C green was prepared June 7th, 2017.

The cast peeled off the glass nicely June 8th, 2017.

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.10g (Inventory R-01032A, UO2 + bottle = 776.36g before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.06g

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 62.98g 

The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet.

The Ta-target boat was wrapped with 1 long layer of heat shield [reused from last carbonization] and installed in evap1 this morning.

Chamber pumped down.

Target boat will be ramped up to 520A.

Vacuum limit stop at 5.0e-5 Torr, backing off at 6.0e-5 Torr.

IG1 = 1.58e-5 Torr

Tapped up to 30A, 0.21V

Waited ~1hr45, vacuum stable.

IG1 = 8.59e-6 Torr

Initiating auto-ramp at 0.1A/min

 Tuesday, June 13, 2017, 10:32

IG1 = 5.0e-5 Torr

TGHT = 65A, 0.47V

Vacuum currently yo-yo-ing, but stable.

Changing vacuum limits.

Vacuum limit stop at 2.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 5.0e-4 Torr.

Increasing ramping rate to 0.2A/min.

Thursday, June 15, 2017, 16:24  

IG1 = 1.96e-4 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 5.18V

TGHT has reached 520A, the vacuum remains at it's limit.

Vacuum usually drops and stabilizes slightly before the max setpoint is reached indicating carbonization process complete.

Since vacuum remains high, this indicates the carbonization remains incomplete.

Conditions have changed such as vacuum limits, which has greatly sped up the process.

This increase in speed could have an impact on the current at which the carbonization occurs.

Increasing max setpoint to 530A and re-initiating auto-ramp.

 Friday, June 16, 2017, 08:32

Vacuum stable, started decreasing when TGHT reached 530A - carbonization process complete.

Evap1 has remained at max setpoints for ~11hrs, but has remained at low vacuum for ~5hrs.

IG1 = 5.56e-6 Torr

TGHT = 530A, 5.31V

Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min

TP = 24.9C, RT = 24.3C

*note TP now has water cooling as well as fan pointed at it for this entire process

 Monday, June 19, 2017, 16:16

Vented in Ar and transferred from evap1 to glove box this a.m

UC2 flakes produced = 48.66g

Laura Lambert wrote:

Laura Lambert wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: Laura Lambert wrote: Laura Lambert wrote:  Wednesday, July 12, 2017, 17:06 Target container was previously coated with TaC and sintered. Container is wrapped with 3 layers of Ta-heat shield, including the center block The target consists of 400 discs of UCx with 13.60cm in length [8 packs of 5 + 360 single discs/ 2.6cm on left side, 2.8cm on right side wrt ionizer into page]. Discs in target are arranged as follows: 1pack / 60singles / 1pack / 60singles / 1pack / 60singles / 2packs / 60singles / 1pack / 60singles / 1pack / 60singles / 1pack A regular TaC coated endcap is inserted left, wrt the ionizer tube pointing down. The right side is open with a TaC coated spring to help hold materials in. The chamber is currently pumping down. TGHT will be ramped up to 450A at 0.1A/min [same current used to reach 1900C in evap2 when sintering TaC coating - elog373 evap2] Parameter setup: 5.0e-5 good vac, 6.0e-5 bad vac. Thursday, July 13, 2017, 12:49 Tapped up manually to 35A. Waited ~2hrs, vacuum stable: IG1 = 2.64e-6 Torr Initiating auto-ramp.    Thursday, July 13, 2017, 14:48 Update: auto-ramp not started. With recent updates to evap1 epics, not everything was uploaded correctly. TGHT auto-ramp system not working: parameter boxes have white outline indicating locked. No parameters can be inputed and therefore unable to start auto-ramp.  Friday, July 14, 2017, 15:56 Problems still not fixed. Have tapped up manually to 50A, 0.59V Vacuum stable; IG1 = 5.26e-6 Torr. Will remain at setpoints over weekend before continuing to ramp up manually...  Monday, July 17, 2017, 15:10 New problems: Paddle wheels for evap2 need replacing asap [see elog evap2 i.d.378] In order to replace, supply/ return need to be turned off and a full purge; therefore, evap1 must be off otherwise it will trip off from no water. Evap2 needs to be fixed asap and cannot wait for this process to be complete. Evap1 had been tapped up manually to 60A. Tapping down manually to 0A so one can start the paddle wheel replacement work tomorrow.  Tuesday, July 18, 2017, 15:31 Paddle wheels for evap2 replaced and up and running again. IG1 = 1.2e-6 Torr. Starting to tap back-up manually...    Wednesday, July 19, 2017, 14:12 TGHT auto-ramp fixed. Since TBHT isn't hooked up yet, epics thinks TBHT has tripped off. Currently during auto-ramp, every time steps up: states TBHT tripped off. This is not the case but not a big deal as we will soon have TBHT hooked up and this won't be an issue. Also it only states it, doesn't stop auto-ramp and therefore technically works fine/ will go with this for now... Note: Might be a few spikes on striptool from past hour when IOC was rebooted.    Wednesday, July 19, 2017, 14:16 Tapped up manually to 30A yesterday. Continued manual tap up today and reached 60A. Initiated auto-ramp. IG1 = 4.4e-6 Torr    Thursday, July 20, 2017, 14:48 TGHT tripped off yesterday evening  Auto-ramping was fixed but a few more glitches in the system caused the TGHT to trip. Please refer to photos. When auto-ramp is running and vacuum reaches the parameter set for 'Good Vacuum', the auto-ramp should stop until the vacuum drops below the good vacuum at which point it can then continue to auto-ramp. When auto-ramp is running and vacuum reaches the parameter set for 'Bad Vacuum', the auto-ramp should initiate auto-cool/ramp-down until the vacuum drops to the good vacuum parameter at which point it can then proceed with the 'Good Vacuum' requirement. With this scenario, the auto-ramp system ignored the parameters set for good and bad vacuum, proceeded past both points and continued to ramp until the vacuum eventually reached it's trip off vacuum causing the TGHT to trip. The TGHT current was at ~90A when it tripped off, so the target should be OK.    Thursday, July 20, 2017, 15:14 Turns out the auto-ramp was reading the vacuum of 'IGP1' which is what the old ion gauge used to be called for evap1 and is currently one on evap2 AKA attempting to take a vacuum reading from one that doesn't exist for evap1 This ion gauge is now labelled 'IGP' and the auto-ramp system now uses 'IGP' for the vacuum parameter confirmations. Changed a few things in the auto-ramp system: -Updated messages. -Auto-ramp aborts when TGHT/TBHT trips off. -Displays setpoint it is ramping up to for next step -Confirms which ion gauge it is reading -Displays final setpoint and increment on message board -No longer displays TBHT as 'tripped off' when not running. System updated.

Thursday, July 20, 2017, 15:57

Tapped up manually to 35A, 0.45V

IG1 = 5.26e-6 Torr

Re-initiated auto-ramp at 0.1A/min.

 Friday, July 21, 2017, 13:50

TGHT = 81A, 0.92V

IG1 = 5.2e-5 Torr

Vacuum currently yo-yo-ing, but stable.

Changing vacuum limits.

Vacuum limit stop at 1.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 5.0e-4 Torr.

TP = 28.4C, RT = 27.3C

 Thursday, July 27, 2017, 09:02

TGHT = 431A, 4.37V

IG1 = 1.32e-5 Torr

Vacuum stable.

Increasing ramping rate to 0.2A/min

TP = 26.7C, RT = 22.0C

 Friday, July 28, 2017, 09:35

TGHT = 450A, 4.59V

IG1 = 5.4e-6 Torr

Target has remained at max setpoint for 23hrs.

TP = 25.9C, RT = 19.5C

Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min

 Friday, August 04, 2017, 13:59

Evap1 was vented in Ar and transferred to the glove box on monday.

A few discs on opened end had slightly shifted [see photo], discs moved back in place - can see down into target.

Discoloration of Ta container to gold in some spots - this is normal as seen with most UCx targets

Target looks good.

Still requires 2nd endcap to be inserted.

 Monday, August 21, 2017, 11:13

Both endcaps in.

No Rh foil inserted.

Endcaps require expanding.

 Wednesday, August 23, 2017, 15:41

2 rounds of UO2/C were cast onto a graphite sheet in the fume hood and let dry.

For this round of samples, circles from cast 1 were used

Graphite powder used = 5.16g

A 14mm punch was used to punch out circles from a 16mm wide strip.

35 circles were packed into a graphite sample container.

graphite container [no endcap] = 3.37g

35 x UO2/C circles = 4.76g

graphite container+smpls = 8.13g

container+smpls+endcap = 10.08g

Graphite tube is placed inside a target boat.

Boat previously coated with TaC and sintered - 1st use of newly sintered boat.

Ta-target boat is wrapped with 3-layers of heat shield and installed in Evap1.

Chamber currently pumping down.

 Friday, August 25, 2017, 09:59

IG1 = 3.45e-6 Torr.

Stepped up manually to 80A.

Vacuum stable.

IG1 = 3.0e-5 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp.

Target boat will be ramped up to 520A at the rate of 0.1A/min.

Vacuum limit stop at 1.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 5.0e-4 Torr.

 Monday, August 28, 2017, 08:09

IG1 = 6.3e-6 Torr

TGHT = 455A, 4.65V

Vacuum stable.

Increasing ramping rate to 0.2A/min.

 Monday, August 28, 2017, 08:53

IG1 = 7.3e-6 Torr

TGHT = 465A, 4.75V

Vacuum stable.

Increasing ramping rate to 0.5A/min.

 Monday, August 28, 2017, 13:17

IG1 = 1.32e-5 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 5.44V

Vacuum still fairly high and not dropping very fast indicating carbonization incomplete.

Increasing max setpoint to 530A and restarting auto-ramp.

 Monday, August 28, 2017, 15:13

IG1 = 1.32e-5 Torr

TGHT = 530A, 5.58V

Vacuum still high, wavering up and down/ not dropping - carbonization remains incomplete.

Increasing max setpoint to 540A and restarting auto-ramp.

 Tuesday, August 29, 2017, 09:28

IG1 = 3.72e-6 Torr

TGHT = 540A, 5.66V

Carbonization complete.

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min

 Thursday, September 21, 2017, 11:32

Copper plate attached to TBHT to allow current to be applied.

Started pumping down this a.m.

Roughing pump sounds normal.

Currently Ion Gauge times out before turning on, will attempt again later when lower vacuum achieved...

 Monday, September 25, 2017, 13:30

Ion Gauge hadn't been fully hooked up via eipcs yet.

Ramped down last week/ vented/ hooked up ion gauge in epics/ restarted IOC - now updated and good to go.

Started pumping down again this a.m.

Roughing pump sounds normal.

Ion gauge working well!

IGP1 = 2.7e-5 Torr

 Wednesday, September 27, 2017, 09:20

Cooled down, vented in air and opened up yesterday.

TBHT ran well -  readout on power supply and readout on striptool were very close.

Roughing pump ran smoothly - nothing other than usual problems.

Sometimes when roughing pump is 1st turned on it chokes up and sounds TERRIBLE. At this point if you turn it off and leave it for a few seconds then try turning it on again it usually works fine.

Ion gauge ran well - direct readout vs striptool readout are slightly off because the direct readout is in mBar and the striptool in Torr.

One minor thing noticed with the new ion gauge - when water is turned on the vacuum increases very minorly by ~5e-8 Torr.

This wouldn't show up with the old Ion Gauge - maybe the new one is slightly more sensitive?

Otherwise everything ran great 

 Wednesday, September 27, 2017, 09:25

UO2/C green was prepared Sept 20th, 2017.

The cast peeled off the glass Sept 22nd, 2017 - not quite enough 'special' ingredient.

UO2 stuck to glass around edges of cast - a lot of flakes produced while peeling off.

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.00g (Inventory R-01032A, UO2 + bottle = 726.38g before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.03g

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 60.38g 

The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet.

The Ta-target boat was wrapped with 3-layers of heat shield [reused from last 1stepUCx] and installed in evap1 yesterday afternoon.

Chamber pumped down overnight.

Target boat will be ramped up to 520A.

Vacuum limit stop at 5.0e-5 Torr, backing off at 6.0e-5 Torr.

IG1 = 3.5e-6 Torr

Tapped up to 30A, 0.43V

Waited ~50min, vacuum stable.

IGP1 = 8.6e-6 Torr

Initiating auto-ramp at 0.1A/min

 Wednesday, September 27, 2017, 13:28

IGP1 = 1.4e-5 Torr

TGHT = 38.5A, 0.48V

Vacuum stable.

Changing vacuum limits and ramping rate.

Vacuum limit stop at 2.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 5.0e-4 Torr.

Increasing ramping rate to 0.2A/min.

 Thursday, September 28, 2017, 08:41

IGP1 = 3.26e-5 Torr

TGHT = 174A, 1.71V

Vacuum stable.

Increasing ramping rate to 0.5A/min.

 Thursday, September 28, 2017, 09:56

IGP1 = 4.85e-5 Torr

TGHT = 195A, 1.92V

Vacuum initially climbed a small amount with last increase, has started to decrease - vacuum stable.

Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/min.

Thursday, September 28, 2017, 10:30  

IGP1 = 5.3e-5 Torr

TGHT = 220A, 2.18V

Vacuum increased slightly again with faster ramping rate.

Vacuum now dropping - stable.

Increasing ramping rate to 2.0A/min.

 Thursday, September 28, 2017, 11:07

IGP1 = 6.35e-5 Torr

TGHT = 302A, 3.09V

Vacuum increased slightly again with faster ramping rate.

Vacuum now dropping - stable.

Increasing ramping rate to 2.5A/min.

Thursday, September 28, 2017, 11:45

IGP1 = 1.67e-4 Torr

TGHT = 380A, 4.04V

Vacuum increased normally at slow rate for first half hour.

~30min into the 2.5A/min rate increase, vacuum started to climb much faster.

Paused auto-ramp for few min to allow vacuum to stabilize.

Vacuum decreasing - stable.

IGP1 = 1.4e-4 Torr

Decreasing ramping rate to 0.5A/min for next hour while unable to watch.

 Thursday, September 28, 2017, 13:20

IGP1 = 1.93e-4 Torr

TGHT = 425A, 4.58V

Vacuum stable.

Changing vacuum limits and ramping rate.

Increasing ramping rate 1.0A/min.

Vacuum limit stop at 3.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 6.0e-4 Torr.

 Thursday, September 28, 2017, 14:06

IGP1 = 3.1e-4 Torr

TGHT = 456A, 4.93V

Vacuum stable.

Changing vacuum limits and ramping rate.

Changing ramping rate to 0.5A/ 30sec.

Vacuum limit stop at 4.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 7.0e-4 Torr.

 Thursday, September 28, 2017, 14:44

IGP1 = 4.0e-4 Torr

TGHT = 468A, 5.07V

Vacuum stable.

Changing vacuum limits.

Vacuum limit stop at 5.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 8.0e-4 Torr.

 Thursday, September 28, 2017, 15:49

TP thermocouple = 28.1C

IGP1 = 5.0e-4 Torr

TGHT = 485A, 5.25V

Vacuum stable.

Changing ramping rate for overnight heating.

Decreasing ramping rate to 0.5A/min.

 Friday, September 29, 2017, 09:11

TP thermocouple = 26.1C

IGP1 = 5.0e-6 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 5.60V

Vacuum stable.

Carbonization process complete!

Evap1 has remained at max setpoints for ~13hrs

Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min

 Tuesday, October 03, 2017, 10:09

Vented in Ar and transferred from evap1 to glove box yesterday.

 Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 14:11

UO2/C green was prepared Oct 4th, 2017

The cast peeled off the glass nicely Oct 6th, 2017

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.26g (Inventory R-01032A, UO2 + bottle = 676.34g before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.12g

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 61.30g 

The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet.

The Ta-target boat was wrapped with 3-layers of heat shield [reused] and installed in evap1 this morning.

Chamber currently pumping down.

Target boat will be ramped up to 520A.

Vacuum limit stop at 3.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 6.0e-4 Torr.

 Wednesday, October 11, 2017, 09:06

IGP1 = 1.74e-6 Torr

Tapped up to 35A, 0.29V

Waited ~70min, vacuum stable.

IGP1 = 6.9e-6 Torr

Initiating auto-ramp at 0.2A/min

 Wednesday, October 11, 2017, 13:06

IGP1 = 3.1e-4 Torr

TGHT = 61A, 0.49V

Vacuum stable.

Changing vacuum limits.

Vacuum limit stop at 5.0e-4 Torr, backing off at 8.0e-4 Torr.

 Thursday, October 12, 2017, 08:31

IGP1 = 1.06e-5 Torr

TGHT = 275A, 2.55V

Vacuum stable.

Increasing ramping rate to 0.5A/min.

 Thursday, October 12, 2017, 09:03

IGP1 = 1.47e-5 Torr

TGHT = 290A, 2.70V

Vacuum stable.

Increasing ramping rate to 1.0A/ 30sec.

 Friday, October 13, 2017, 08:30

IGP1 = 5.8e-6 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 4.98V

Vacuum stable.

Carbonization process complete!

Evap1 has remained at max setpoints for ~17hrs

Initiating auto-cool at 1.0A/min

 Tuesday, October 17, 2017, 15:01

TGHT had sat at 0A for at least 24hrs.

At ~3:30-4am this morning everything tripped off. The only thing remained on was the roughing pump.

Power bump? Did someone accidentally turn it off? Will follow up on this...

Vacuum was sitting at ~3.5e-2Torr when I noticed today.

Most vacuum had been lost, but there was still a small vacuum - materials should be okay.

Purged and vented in Ar.

Transferred materials to glove box.

 Tuesday, November 07, 2017, 14:34

LP-FEBIAD used several years ago for temperature measurements is used for this test.

3xTa heat shields on container, incl center block - these heat shields have remained on there since the last round of tests in 2014?

Old version of LP container with larger center block.

Will heat TBHT to 290A and report data.

Loaded into evap1 and pumped down this a.m

IGP1 = 7.73e-6 Torr

Wednesday, November 08, 2017, 13:20

Tapped up to 290A manually.

TBHT epics controls = 287.7A, 2.45V

TBHT power supply = 290.4A, 2.46V

IGP1 epics = 2.51e-6 Toor

IGP1 direct readout = 3.18e-6 Torr

TP = 26.1C

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min

 Thursday, November 09, 2017, 11:41

Vented in air.

TBHT test went well. 

See attachment for data collected.

 Tuesday, November 14, 2017, 16:12

Circles from cast 1 were used, the same as the last round of 1stepUCx [see elog i.d. 164]

A 14mm punch was used to punch out circles from the cast.

35 circles were packed into a graphite sample container.

35 x UO2/C circles = 5.43g

Graphite tube is placed inside a target boat.

Boat previously coated with TaC and sintered.

Ta-target boat is wrapped with 3-layers of heat shield and installed in Evap1.

Chamber currently pumping down.

 Wednesday, November 15, 2017, 08:53

IGP1 = 1.6e-6 Torr

Tapping up manually...

 Wednesday, November 15, 2017, 11:59

IGP1 = 5.0e-5 Torr

Tapped up entire process manually to 520A in 3hrs!!!

TGHT = 520A, 4.98V

Vacuum coming down nicely indicating carbonization process complete 

Will remain at max setpoint for 4hrs to ensure full carbonization before cooling down later this afternoon.

 Wednesday, November 15, 2017, 15:16

IG1 = 8.65e-6 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 4.92V

Carbonization complete.

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min

 Monday, November 20, 2017, 13:28

Evap1 was vented in argon and sample removed/ transfered to glove box on friday.

Discs look good, slightly lighter grayer compared to production UCx discs after second cast but before final carbonization.

Material seems to adhere to graphite backing foil well, no flakes coming off from just moving discs around.

Weight of 35 carbonized discs = 4.387g

Weight loss = 5.43g - 4.387g = 1.043g

 Thursday, November 23, 2017, 13:34

Circles from cast 1 were used, the same as the last round of 1stepUCx [see elog i.d. 164]

A 14mm punch was used to punch out circles from the cast.

35 circles were packed into a graphite sample container.

35 x UO2/C circles = 5.75 g

Graphite container = 5.38 g

Graphite container is placed inside a target boat.

Boat previously coated with TaC and sintered.

Ta-target boat is wrapped with 3-layers of heat shield and installed in Evap1.

Chamber currently pumping down.

 Friday, November 24, 2017, 12:48

IGP1=1.3e-6 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 4.98V 

Vacuum went down indicating carbonization.

Will remain at max setpoint for the weekend.

 Monday, November 27, 2017, 09:58

IG1 = 2.6e-6 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 5.1V

Carbonization complete in 3 hrs and 30 min.

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min

 Wednesday, November 27, 2017, 13:10

 IEVAP was vented in argon and sample removed/transferred to glove box on Friday.

 Monday, January 15, 2018, 13:37

35 circles of 14 mm diameter were packed into a graphite sample container.

35 x UO2/C circles = 5.58 g

Graphite container = 5.22 g

Graphite tube is placed inside a target boat.

Boat previously coated with TaC and sintered.

Ta-target boat is wrapped with 3 new Ta foils for heat shielding and the boat was installed in Evap1.

Chamber currently pumping down.

Tuesday, January 16, 2018, 13:41 

Initial IGP1 = 9x10e-7 Torr

Tapped up entire process manually to 520A in 1.5 hrs

TGHT = 525 A, 5.64 V

Vacuum coming down nicely indicating carbonization process complete 

Will remain at max setpoint overnight to ensure full carbonization before cooling down.

Wednesday, January 17, 2018, 10:30

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min 

Wednesday, January 17, 2018, 4:30

Laura Lambert wrote:

Marla Cervantes wrote:  Wednesday, January 10, 2018, 14:44 Circles from cast 1 were used, the same as the last round of 1stepUCx [see elog i.d. 164] A 14mm punch was used to punch out circles from the cast. 35 circles were packed into a graphite sample container. 35 x UO2/C circles = 5.75 g Graphite container = 5.38 g Graphite container is placed inside a target boat. Boat previously coated with TaC and sintered. Ta-target boat is wrapped with 3-layers of heat shield and installed in Evap1. Chamber currently pumping down.  Friday, January 12, 2018, 07:43 IGP1 = 0.0266 Torr TGHT = 520A, 5.92V Voltage has been climbing consistently since it has reached it's max setpoint, gone up ~0.8V in ~18hrs Carbonization complete. Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min Will update later with more information on this process.  Friday, January 12, 2018, 09:47 Turned the turbo pump back on, to ensure safe cooling.

 Monday, January 15, 2018, 10:00

Vented with Argon and removed from evap1

NB: The initial mass of the UO2/C discs was 5.9 g

       The final mass of the UCx discs was 4.614 g

Marla Cervantes wrote:

Marla Cervantes wrote: Marla Cervantes wrote:  Friday, January 19, 2018, 12:29 Circles from cast 1 were used, the same as the last round of 1stepUCx [see elog i.d. 164] A 14mm punch was used to punch out circles from the cast. 35 circles were packed into a graphite sample container. 35 x UO2/C circles = 5.69 g Graphite container = 6.84 g Graphite container is placed inside a target boat. Boat previously coated with TaC and sintered. Ta-target boat is wrapped with 3-layers of heat shield and installed in Evap1. Chamber currently pumping down.    Monday, January 22, 2018, 9:00 A power outage on Sunday tripped off EVAP1.  Monday, January 22, 2018, 10:00 Chamber pumping down. Water flow turned on. Monday, January 22, 2018, 13:30 IGP1 = 8e-6 Torr Tapped up entire process manually to 520A in 45 min TGHT = 520 A, 6.08 V  Vacuum coming down indicating carbonization process complete Will remain at max setpoint overnight.

 Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 9:30

Initiating auto-cool at 2 A/min

 Tuesday, January 23, 2018, 16:00

 EVAP1 was not vented, Ar tank has low level, Ar tank will be replaced.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018, 11:37

 EVAP1 was vented very carefully using the Ar remaining in the Ar tank.

Ar tank remaining gas: ~8 psi.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018, 15:42 

UCx was transferred to glove box.

Final mass 4.501 g

Marla Cervantes wrote:

Marla Cervantes wrote: Marla Cervantes wrote:  Monday, January 29, 2018, 09:26 35 circles of 14 mm diameter were packed into a graphite sample container. 35 x UO2/C circles = 4.94 g Graphite container = 5.03 g Graphite tube is placed inside a target boat. Boat previously coated with TaC and sintered. Ta-target boat is wrapped with 3 new Ta foils for heat shielding and the boat was installed in Evap1. Chamber currently pumping down.    Monday, January 29, 2018, 11:06 A power outage around 10 am tripped off EVAP1.  Monday, January 29, 2018, 14:22 Water flow turned on. Chamber set to pumping down.

 Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 16:06

Initial IGP1 = 9.4x10e-7 Torr

Tapped up entire process manually to 520A in 32 min

TGHT = 520 A, 5.45 V

Vacuum coming down indicating carbonization process complete 

Will remain at max setpoint for 4 hrs to ensure full carbonization before cooling down.

 Tuesday, January 30, 2018, 18:40

 Initiating auto-cool at 2.0 A/min 

 Wednesday, January 31, 2018, 14:00

 Thursday, February 01, 2018, 12:59

35 circles of 14 mm diameter were packed into a graphite sample container.

28 discs corresponded to cats#1 and 7 discs to cast#2

35 x UO2/C circles = 3.42 g

Graphite container = 6.96 g

Graphite tube is placed inside a target boat.

Boat previously coated with TaC and sintered.

Ta-target boat is wrapped with 3 new Ta foils for heat shielding and the boat was installed in Evap1.

Chamber currently pumping down.

 Friday, February 02, 2018, 13:18

Initial IGP1 = 4.82x10e-7 Torr

Tapped up entire process manually to 520A in 30 min

TGHT = 520 A, 5.63 V

Vacuum coming down nicely indicating carbonization process complete 

Will remain at max setpoint for 4 hrs to ensure full carbonization before cooling down.

 Friday, February 02, 2018, 16:57

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0 A/min 

Monday, February 05, 2018, 17:23