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.

 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

 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.

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.

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

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.

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

 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.