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

 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 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.

 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.

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, 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

 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.

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, 15:48

A power outage on Sunday tripped off EVAP1.

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.

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

 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.

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.

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. 

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 

Monday, February 05, 2018, 17:24

35 circles from cast#2 of 14 mm diameter were packed into a graphite sample container.

35 x UO2/C circles = 4.59 g

Graphite container = 5.3 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, February 06, 2018, 10:59

Initial IGP1 = 4.79e-7 Torr

Tapped up entire process manually to 520A in 30 min

TGHT = 520 A, 5.32 V

Vacuum coming down indicating carbonization process complete.  

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

 Tuesday, February 06, 2018, 14:44

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0 A/min 

 Thursday, February 08, 2018, 10:43

Vented with Ar and removed from EVAP1

 Thursday, February 08, 2018, 14:50

35 circles from cast#2 of 14 mm diameter were packed into a graphite sample container.

35 x UO2/C circles = 4.76 g

Graphite container = 5.3 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 09, 2018, 10:40

Initial IGP1 = 4.54e-7 Torr

Tapped up entire process manually to 520A in 25 min

TGHT = 520 A, 5.49 V

Vacuum coming down indicating carbonization process complete.  

Current suddenly tripped off from 520 A to 0 A.

There was not a power outage.

There was good vacuum.

Water cooling did not trip off