Tuesday, April 05, 2016, 10:58

UO2/C green was prepared March 31, 2016.

The cast peeled off the glass nicely April 1, 2016 and finished drying over the weekend. [see attached picture]

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

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.47g (Inventory R-00835A, UO2 + bottle = 168.33g before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.05g

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 59.50g 

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 yesterday.

Chamber has been pumped down overnight, currently at IG1 = 3.7e-6 Torr.

Manually stepping up to 35A...

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, April 05, 2016, 15:04

Waited ~4hrs, vacuum stable.

IG1 = 8.5e-6 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp.

 Friday, April 15, 2016, 13:50

IG1 = 3.2e-6 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 5.15V

TGHT remained at max setpoints for ~10hrs

Carbonization process is complete.

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min.

 Monday, April 18, 2016, 11:08

vented in argon and removed from evap1.

stored in glove box.

will measure flakes produced tomorrow...

 Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 15:32

UC2 flakes produced = 45.99g

 Tuesday, March 08, 2016, 10:01

UO2/C green was prepared March 2, 2016.

This was the first time using the new rack built for holding multiple casts [see photo attached]

The cast peeled off the glass nicely March 3, 2014 and finished drying over the weekend. [see attached picture]

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

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.03g (Inventory R-00835A, UO2 + bottle = 218.54g before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.14g

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 60.08g 

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

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

Chamber has been pumped down overnight, currently at IG1 = 4.5e-6 Torr.

Manually stepping up to 35A...

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, March 08, 2016, 16:01

Waited ~3hrs, vacuum stable.

IG1 = 1.4e-5 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp.

 Monday, March 21, 2016, 08:33

IG1 = 1.9e-6 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 5.13V

TGHT remained at max setpoints for ~63.5hrs [over the weekend].

Carbonization process is complete.

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min.

 Thursday, March 24, 2016, 10:19

vented in argon and removed from evap1.

stored in glove box.

total flakes produced: 46.26g

 Monday, September 14, 2015, 15:28

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 61.31g

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

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

 Wednesday, September 16, 2015, 17:55

The work in the B2 level is done; the nuclear ventilation for the evaporators is now operational. 

Tried to turn on the backing pump, but failed. 

Submitted an fault #8428 to vacuum group

 Thursday, September 17, 2015, 12:23

Vacuum group responded to the e-fault, and a new pump is installed.

Chamber is currently being pumped down.

 Friday, September 18, 2015, 14:12

Chamber pressure is at 3.0e-6 Torr.

TGHT stepped up to 30A.

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.

 Friday, September 18, 2015, 16:05

Pressure stabilized at 3.6e-5 Torr. 

Initiate autoramping

 Monday, September 21, 2015, 11:38

TGHT was found tripped off at 50A on Saturday at about 6am; the backing pump gauge went up to 150mTorr at the same time (see attachment)

Note that a refurbished backing pump was installed before starting this process.  It could be a leak somewhere; will let vacuum group to inspect this. 

 Monday, September 21, 2015, 15:34

Vacuum group took a look at the pump.  It was the bleeding valve that was not properly close while the pump was installed.  So after some period of running, the valve got loosen from the pump's vibration and caused the leak. 

The pump is now back to operational. 

Chamber is being pumped again.  Once the vacuum is good, TGHT will be stepped up to 50A and autoramping will be initiated once it's ready.

 Monday, September 21, 2015, 17:51

TGHT at 50A, IG at 3.6e-6 Torr.

Initiated autoramping.

 Wednesday, September 30, 2015, 10:11

TGHT has reached to 520A/5.36V.  The carbonization process is complete, vacuum at 3.29e-6 Torr, BP at 12mTorr. (see attachment#2)

Initiated auto-cooling at 2A/min.

 Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 11:02

UO2/C green was prepared Aug 11, 2015. The slurry was cast on a piece of glass coated with WD40 on Aug 12, 2015.

The cast peeled off the glass nicely Aug 14, 2014 and finished drying over the weekend. [see attached picture]

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

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.34g (Inventory R-00835A, UO2 + bottle = 343.60g before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.14g

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 61.42g

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

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

Chamber has been pumped down overnight, currently at IG1 = 2.5e-6 Torr.

Manually stepping up to 35A.

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, August 19, 2015, 14:05

Waited ~2.5hrs, vacuum stable.

IG1 = 1.2e-5 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp.

 Monday, August 31, 2015, 09:38

EVAP 1 tripped off saturday 29th, due to a power outage with TGHT = ~450A at time of trip-off.

EVAP1 lost vacuum for ~4.5hrs [see archived photo]

Visual check performed of EVAP1 - OK.

IGP1 = 6.4e-7 Torr.

Re-initiating carbonization process.

 Monday, August 31, 2015, 10:05

Tapped up manually to 30A.

Vacuum stable.

Initiating auto-ramp at 2.0A/min to a final setpoint of 200A.

 Monday, August 31, 2015, 11:33

Increased max setpoint to 250A at 2.0A/min.

According to the archive, step 1 of the carbonization process was complete and vacuum dropped at ~TGHT = 250A

Vacuum still stable IGP1 = 2.7e-6 Torr.

Once 250A achieved, changed auto ramp to 0.2A/min with a final setpoint of 300A over lunch.

Will tap up manually after lunch.

 Monday, August 31, 2015, 13:07

IGP1 = 1.66e-6 Torr.

TGHT = 262A, 2.3V

Turning off auto-ramp, taking over manually...

 Monday, August 31, 2015, 16:15

Tapped up manually to TGHT = 355A, 3.5V

IGP1 = 5.8e-6 Torr.

Re-initiating auto-ramp at 0.1A/min with a final setpoint of 520A

 Wednesday, September 02, 2015, 09:04

IG1 = 7.5e-6 Torr

TGHT = 520A, 5.53V

TGHT remained at max setpoints ~12.5hours.

Carbonization process is complete.

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min.

 Thursday, September 03, 2015, 11:55

UCx vented in Ar, removed from evap1 and currently in glove box this morning.

Will measure quantity obtained this afternoon.

 Thursday, September 03, 2015, 13:27

Attached are a few notable striptool screenshots from the entire carbonization process.

UCxflk_08 = 46.926g

 Monday, May 11, 2015, 11:45

UO2/C green was prepared May 6, 2015. The slurry was cast on a piece of glass coated with WD40 on May 7, 2015.

The cast peeled off the glass nicely May 8, 2014 and finished drying over the weekend. [see attached picture]

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

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.44g (Inventory R-00835A, UO2 + bottle = 444.23g before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.05g

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 61.23g

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

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

Chamber is currently being pumped 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.

 Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 08:40

IG1 = 3e-6 Torr

Tapping up manually to 35A...

Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 12:18

Waited ~2.5hrs.

Vacuum stable.

IG1 = 1.3e-5 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp.

 Monday, May 25, 2015, 09:29

TGHT reached max setpoints on the 22nd.

IGP1 = 2.2e-6 Torr.

TGHT = 520A, 5.28V

Carbonization process is complete [see attachment].

Initiating auto-cool at 2.0A/min.

 Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 08:47

Vented in argon and opened up yesterday afternoon.

Uranium flakes in glove box.

 Wednesday, May 27, 2015, 16:09

UC2 flakes produced = 47.647g

 Monday, January 26, 2015, 11:19

UO2/C green was prepared Jan 20, 2015. The slurry was cast on a piece of glass coated with WD40 on Jan 21, 2015.

The cast was let dry over the weekend and peeled off the glass nicely Jan 26, 2014. [see attached picture]

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

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.32g (Inventory R-00835A, UO2 + bottle = 494.52g before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.02g

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 60.33g

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

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

Chamber is currently being pumped 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, January 28, 2015, 11:33

change of plan.

there will be several interruptions over the course of the next month including a planned power outage and water shut off.

therefore UO2/C cannot be carbonized as these interruptions  will trip off the system when UO2/C would be at max temperature.

EVAP1 is now turned off and the flakes will be stored in the fume hood until further notice.

 Thursday, April 09, 2015, 16:03

EVAP1 has been cleaned.

Target boat has been reloaded into evap1 and currently pumping down.

Will initiate ramp up tomorrow.

 Friday, April 10, 2015, 08:05

IGP1 = 1.7e-6 Torr

Tapped up manually to 35A.

Waited ~2hrs, vacuum stable.

IGP1 = 9.7e-6 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp.

 Monday, April 20, 2015, 11:20

TGHT reahed 520A, 5.78V on the weekend.

The boat has been sitting at max setpoint for 4.5hours.

Carbonization process is complete [See attachment].

IGP1 = 3.4e-6 Torr.

Initiating auto-cool at 2A/min.

 Tuesday, April 21, 2015, 16:20

Vented in Ar and opened up today.

Now in glove box.

 Monday, May 11, 2015, 11:58

UC2 flakes produced = 46.477g

 Tuesday, September 23, 2014, 14:54

UO2/C green was prepared Sept 18, 2014. The slurry was cast on a piece of glass coated with WD40 on Sept 19, 2014.

The cast was let dry over the weekend and peeled off the glass nicely Sept 22, 2014.

Some materials were stuck on the WC jar wall and balls as always noted.

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.04g (Inventory R-00835A UO2 + bottle = 544.51g before use)

Graphite powder used = 9.98g

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 59.35g

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

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

Chamber is currently being pumped down.

Target 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, September 24, 2014, 11:27

Chamber pumped down overnight.

IGP1 = 2.3e-6 Torr

Manually stepping TGHT up to 30A

 Wednesday, September 24, 2014, 14:00

Vacuum stable.

IGP1 = 1.3e-5 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp.

Laura Lambert wrote:

Tuesday, September 23, 2014, 14:54 UO2/C green was prepared Sept 18, 2014. The slurry was cast on a piece of glass coated with WD40 on Sept 19, 2014. The cast was let dry over the weekend and peeled off the glass nicely Sept 22, 2014. Some materials were stuck on the WC jar wall and balls as always noted. Initial UO2 powder used = 50.04g (Inventory R-00835A UO2 + bottle = 544.51g before use) Graphite powder used = 9.98g Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 59.35g The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet. The Ta-target boat is wrapped with 3-layers of heat shield and installed in Evap1. Chamber is currently being pumped down. Target 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, September 24, 2014, 11:27 Chamber pumped down overnight. IGP1 = 2.3e-6 Torr Manually stepping TGHT up to 30A  Wednesday, September 24, 2014, 14:00 Vacuum stable. IGP1 = 1.3e-5 Torr. Initiating auto-ramp.

 Friday, October 10, 2014, 13:51

TGHT has reached to 520A for over 20hrs;  Carbonization process is complete (see attachment).

Ramping down at 2A/min. 

As much as I like to come to work, Monday is a holiday.  So, the chamber will be kept under vacuum. 

On Tuesday, the chamber will be vent in Ar. 

Friday, October 17, 2014, 11:47  

Vented and taken out on tuesday.

 Tuesday, August 26, 2014, 11:54

UO2/C green was prepared Aug 20, 2014. The slurry was cast on a piece of glass coated with WD40 on Aug 21, 2014.

The cast peeled off the glass nicely Aug 22, 2014 and let dry until Aug 25, 2014.

Some materials were stuck on the WC jar wall and balls as always noted.

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.75g (Inventory R-00835A UO2 + bottle = 595.37g before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.78g

Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 62.86g

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

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

Chamber is currently being pumped down.

Target 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, August 27, 2014, 11:18

Chamber has pumped down overnight. IG1 = 6.4e-6 Torr

Stepped TGHT up to 35A.

 Wednesday, August 27, 2014, 14:41

Waited 1.5hrs for vacuum to fully stabilize, currently sitting at 2.2e-5 Torr.

Initiating auto-ramp.

 Friday, September 12, 2014, 14:09

TGHT reached max 520A/5.6V last night.

Carbonization process complete (see attachment: carbonization)

IG1 = 7.6e-6 Torr 

Initiating auto-cool at 2A/min

Will vent the chamber with Ar on Monday.

 Monday, September 22, 2014, 14:52

complete, UO2/C in glove box

 Thursday, October 09, 2014, 13:45

update rename: batch #11 - 08262014 to UC2Flk_03

 Monday, March 24, 2014, 17:50

UO2/C cast was prepared on March 21 and let dry over the weekend.  The cast looks pretty good, and it 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.

Chamber is currently being pumped down.

Target 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, March 25, 2014, 15:55

Chamber has been pumped down to 6.8e-6 Torr. BP 47mTorr.

Stepping up TGHT 35A/0.264V.  Vac stabilizing at 6.0e-5 Torr. 

Tuesday, March 25, 2014, 17:43

Auto-ramping initiated.

 Friday, April 11, 2014, 11:49

TGHT reached to max 520A.

Carbonization process is complete (see attachment)

IG at 9.3e-6 Torr.

 Cooling down TGHT at 2A/min

Will vent the chamber with Ar on Monday

 Monday, April 14, 2014, 16:41

UC2 flakes was removed from the chamber and transferred in to the Ar glovebox.

Evap off.

 Wednesday, February 05, 2014, 14:13

1st attempt:

UO2/C green was prepared on Feb 4, 2014 [tues]. The slurry was cast on a piece of glass coated with WD40.

The cast was let dry until Feb 5, 2014 [wed] - the cast was cracked and too much WD40 was used because there were oil patches [see attached photo: cast1]; however, the cast peeled off the glass very nicely.

2nd attempt:

Due to cracked and oil patches, decided to re-mill and try again.

Scrapped off cast, added the additional compositions:

1g PEG400, 1g Glycerol, 14g 5% PVA, 2mL n-butanol, 2mL methanol, 20mL DI H2O

Re-milled for 3 hours and cast onto glass coated with slightly less WD40.

Before even allowing cast to dry, can see the slurry is far too thick. The slurry would not spread at all.

Will let dry overnight and attempt to scrape off and re-mill with more DI H2O tomorrow.

 Thursday, February 06, 2014, 10:57

Second cast was a lot thicker, but peeled off the glass nicely, will not re-cast. [see attached photo: cast2]

Some material was stuck to the WC jar wall and the balls, same as previously.

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.24g (Inventory R-00855A UO2 + bottle = 695.52g before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.05g

1st attempt = did not measure

2nd attempt dried UO2/C + organic mass = 46.56g (expecting to lose more uranium from re-casting a second time/ sticking to jar + balls)

The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet. [see attached photo: target boat]

The Ta-target boat was wrapped with 3-layers of heat shield and installed in EVAP1.

Chamber us currently being pumped down.

Target 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.

 Friday, February 07, 2014, 10:15

Chamber has pumped down overnight. IG1 currently @ 2.4e-6 Torr.

 Stepped up TGHT to 35A/0.187V.

Friday, February 07, 2014, 12:02 

TGHT sat at 35A for 2hrs. Pressure took a while to fully stabilize, currently sitting at 1.9e-5 Torr [see attached photo: pre auto-ramp]

Initiating auto-ramping.

 Monday, February 24, 2014, 13:37

TGHT reached max setpoint of 520A on friday night.

Power = 5.45V

IGP1 = 3.2e-6 Torr.

Carbonization process is complete.

Initiating auto-cooling at 2.0A/min.

 Thursday, October 09, 2014, 13:41

update rename: batch #09 - 02062014 to UC2Flk_01

Laura Lambert wrote:

Thursday, September 19, 2013, 15:35 UO2/C green was prepared on Aug 17, 2013. The slurry was cast on a piece of glass coated with WD40. The cast was let dry until Aug 19, 2013. Initial UO2 powder used = 49.97g (Inventory R-00835A UO2 + bottle = 745.42 before use) Graphite powder used = 10.12g Green cast dried UO2/C + organic mass = 59.62g The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet. The Ta-target boat was wrapped with 3-Ta layers of heat shield and installed in Evap1 on Sept 19, 2013. Chamber is currently being pumped down. IG1 @ 9.97e-12T. Target 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

 Friday, September 20, 2013, 13:48

Chamber has been pumped down overnight.  IG at 6.2e-6 Torr, BP @ 32mT.

Stepping up TGHT to 30A.

 Friday, September 20, 2013, 15:12

TGHT auto ramping initiated.  

 Monday, October 07, 2013, 14:09

TGHT has reached to 520A/5.5V.

Vac at 7.7e-6 Torr. 

The carbonization process is complete.

Auto-cooling is initiated at 2A/min, and the chamber will be vented in Ar after the target is cooled.

 Thursday, October 09, 2014, 13:36

*update* RENAME: batch #07 - 09192013 to UC2Flk_00 used for UCx#11

Thursday, August 22, 2013, 17:31

1st attempt:

UO2/C green was prepared on Aug 14, 2013 (wed).  The slurry was cast on a piece of glass coated with WD40.

The cast was let dry until Aug 26 (Mon) - couldn't peel off from the glass. 

2nd attempt:

So, scrapped off cast, mixed with 30ml H20 in the WC jar, re-milled for 3 hrs, and cast/let dry over night  - SAME SHIT! couldn't peel off!  Don't understand why?!

3rd attempt:

scrapped off, added the additional compositions:

1g PEG400,1g Glycerol, 10g 7% PVA, 2ml n-butanol, 2ml methonal, 20ml DI H2O.

Re-milled for 3 hours, cast and let dry!  Wahlaa... it works! (See attachment#1: pretty uranium pancake!)

However... During this process, some lost of uranium was resulted.  The slurry was more viscous than normal.  Some material was stuck to the WC jar wall and the balls.

Initial UO2 powder used = 50.14g (Inventory R-00835A UO2 + bottle = 795.56 before use)

Graphite powder used = 10g.

1st attempt dried UO2/C + organic  mass = 55.75g

2nd attempt = didn't measure

3rd attempt + additional org mass = 44.5g  (expecting to loss more uranium from the scraping/sticking to jar/balls)

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

The Ta-target boat was wrapped with 3-Ta layers of heat shield and installed in Evap1 on Aug 22, 2013.

Chamber is currently being pumped down. IG1 @ 2.4e-4 Torr.

Target 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

 Monday, August 26, 2013, 11:28

Chamber has been pumped down over the weekend.  IG currently @ 5.2e-6 Torr, BP @ 38mTorr.

Stepped up TGHT to 30A/0.151V. 

 Monday, August 26, 2013, 12:28

TGHT has been at 30A for almost 50 min.  Pressure has gone up but stabled at ~ 3.7e-5 Torr.

Initiated auto-ramping...

 Monday, September 09, 2013, 15:35

The carbonization process has come to an end. 

TGHT is at 520A for almost a day; IG currently at 1.3e-5 Torr (coming down), see attachment #2.

Auto cooling initiated at 2A/min.

The chamber will be vented with Ar.

John Wong wrote:

Thursday, August 22, 2013, 17:31 1st attempt: UO2/C green was prepared on Aug 14, 2013 (wed).  The slurry was cast on a piece of glass coated with WD40. The cast was let dry until Aug 26 (Mon) - couldn't peel off from the glass.  2nd attempt: So, scrapped off cast, mixed with 30ml H20 in the WC jar, re-milled for 3 hrs, and cast/let dry over night  - SAME SHIT! couldn't peel off!  Don't understand why?! 3rd attempt: scrapped off, added the additional compositions: 1g PEG400,1g Glycerol, 10g 7% PVA, 2ml n-butanol, 2ml methonal, 20ml DI H2O. Re-milled for 3 hours, cast and let dry!  Wahlaa... it works! (See attachment#1: pretty uranium pancake!) However... During this process, some lost of uranium was resulted.  The slurry was more viscous than normal.  Some material was stuck to the WC jar wall and the balls. Initial UO2 powder used = 50.14g (Inventory R-00835A UO2 + bottle = 795.56 before use) Graphite powder used = 10g. 1st attempt dried UO2/C + organic  mass = 55.75g 2nd attempt = didn't measure 3rd attempt + additional org mass = 44.5g  (expecting to loss more uranium from the scraping/sticking to jar/balls) The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet. The Ta-target boat was wrapped with 3-Ta layers of heat shield and installed in Evap1 on Aug 22, 2013. Chamber is currently being pumped down. IG1 @ 2.4e-4 Torr. Target 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

 Friday, August 23, 2013, 15:08

The chamber wasn't pumping down well; there was a problem with the seal on the lid.

Rick M. replaced it. 

The chamber is currently being pumped down;  it seems OK!

John Wong wrote:

John Wong wrote: Thursday, August 22, 2013, 17:31 1st attempt: UO2/C green was prepared on Aug 14, 2013 (wed).  The slurry was cast on a piece of glass coated with WD40. The cast was let dry until Aug 26 (Mon) - couldn't peel off from the glass.  2nd attempt: So, scrapped off cast, mixed with 30ml H20 in the WC jar, re-milled for 3 hrs, and cast/let dry over night  - SAME SHIT! couldn't peel off!  Don't understand why?! 3rd attempt: scrapped off, added the additional compositions: 1g PEG400,1g Glycerol, 10g 7% PVA, 2ml n-butanol, 2ml methonal, 20ml DI H2O. Re-milled for 3 hours, cast and let dry!  Wahlaa... it works! (See attachment#1: pretty uranium pancake!) However... During this process, some lost of uranium was resulted.  The slurry was more viscous than normal.  Some material was stuck to the WC jar wall and the balls. Initial UO2 powder used = 50.14g (Inventory R-00835A UO2 + bottle = 795.56 before use) Graphite powder used = 10g. 1st attempt dried UO2/C + organic  mass = 55.75g 2nd attempt = didn't measure 3rd attempt + additional org mass = 44.5g  (expecting to loss more uranium from the scraping/sticking to jar/balls) The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet. The Ta-target boat was wrapped with 3-Ta layers of heat shield and installed in Evap1 on Aug 22, 2013. Chamber is currently being pumped down. IG1 @ 2.4e-4 Torr. Target 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      Friday, August 23, 2013, 15:08 The chamber wasn't pumping down well; there was a problem with the seal on the lid. Rick M. replaced it.  The chamber is currently being pumped down;  it seems OK!

 Tuesday, September 10, 2013, 12:13

The TGHT reached zero on Monday and the chamber was left under vacuum overnight at 1.3e-6 Torr.

The chamber was accidentally vented in air until ~25mTorr for ~10min, then it was quickly pumped down again for ~10min before it was vented in Ar.

The chamber was vented in Ar and the UC2 flakes were transported into the Ar-glove box.

The process is complete 

Tuesday, April 02, 2013, 17:25

UO2/C green was prepared on Mar 11, 2013.

UO2 powder used = 50.32g (Inventory R-00835A UO2 + bottle = 896.16

Graphite powder used = 10.00g

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

The target boat was wrapped with 3 -Ta heat shields and installed in the Evap#1.

The chamber is currently being pumped down.

The target 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, April 03, 2013, 11:28

IG1 currently at 3.56e-6 Torr, BP at 28mTorr.

Tabbing up TGHT to 50A.

After 20 mins, IG got up to 7.5e-5 torr (tripping at 8e-5 Torr).  Lower TGHT to 20A. 

Initiated autoramping...

 Monday, April 15, 2013, 14:33

The domestic water will be shut off tomorrow, April 16 at 07:00 for ARIEL work.  The evaporator cooling water will be shut off; therefore the process must stop for now.

TGHT is current at 315.5A, IG1 at 5.2e-5 Torr. 

Cooling down at 1A/min.

 Tuesday, April 16, 2013, 16:28

The cooling water is back online.  The carbonization process will continue...

TGHT will be ramped up to 300A at 2A/min.  Then the ramping rate will changed to 0.1A/min to have TGHT reach to 520A.

IG is currently at 1.2e-6 Torr.

 Wednesday, April 17, 2013, 10:53

TGHT continues to ramp at 0.1A/min.

 Sunday, April 21, 2013, 22:11

The synthesis of UC2 is complete. 

Auto cooling is initiated.  Ramping down at 1A/min.

The chamber will be vented with Ar tomorrow.

Thursday, July 19, 2012, 17:09

UO2/C green was prepared on June 13, 2012. 

UO2 powder used = 50.32g (Inventory R-00835A UO2 + bottle = 946.48g left)

Graphite powder used = 10.00g

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

The target boat was wrapped with 3 Ta-heat shield and installed in the Evap#1. 

The chamber is currently being pumped down.

 Friday, July 20, 2012, 09:50

IG1 currently at 6.2e-6 Torr, BP @ 31mTorr. 

The target will be ramped up to 520A at 0.1A/min. 

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

TGHT tabbed up to 50A.  Not much of change in the vacuum.

Initiated autoramping..

Friday, July 20, 2012, 10:18  

TGHT tripped up at 51A due to high vacuum.  

Lowered TGHT to 30A and begin auto ramping.  Pressure is holding at 7e-5 Torr. 

 Wednesday, July 25, 2012, 11:57

TGHT has reached to 100A, and the vacuum is starting to come down from the high limit, 5e-5 Torr. (see attachment#1).  

The organic burn-off is almost to complete and the carbonization process will begin soon. 

Tuesday, August 07, 2012, 12:18

The carbonization process is completed.  The target heater reached to 520A (local 515A,5.17V), vacuum at 4.0 e-6 Torr. (see attachment #2)

Cooling down is in process at 2A/min.

 Tuesday, August 07, 2012, 17:44

TGHT has reached to 0A.  IG currently @ 1.3e-6 Torr, BP @ 34mTorr. 

The chamber will be vented with Ar gas tomorrow and the UC2 flakes will be transfer to the Ar-glove box.

 Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 14:35

UO2/C green was prepared on June 18, 2013 and let dry over the weekend.

UO2 powder used = 50.25g (Inventory R-00835A UO2 + bottle = 845.94g - before use)

Graphite powder used = 10.0g

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

The Ta-target boat was wrapped with a 3-Ta heat shields and installed in the Evap#1 on June 24, 2013

The chamber has been pumped down

IG1 currently at 4.6E-06 torr

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

Vacuum limit stop at 5.0E-05 torr, backing off at 6.0E-05 torr

Laura Lambert wrote:

Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 14:35 UO2/C green was prepared on June 18, 2013 and let dry over the weekend. UO2 powder used = 50.25g (Inventory R-00835A UO2 + bottle = 845.94g - before use) Graphite powder used = 10.0g The green was rolled up and wrapped in a piece of graphite sheet. The Ta-target boat was wrapped with a 3-Ta heat shields and installed in the Evap#1 on June 24, 2013 The chamber has been pumped down IG1 currently at 4.6E-06 torr     Target will be ramped up to 520A at the rate of 0.1A/min Vacuum limit stop at 5.0E-05 torr, backing off at 6.0E-05 torr

 Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 16:26

TGHT was stepped up to 30A for about 1hr and lowered to 20A before the pressure went up t0 ~ 1.5e-5 Torr.

Auto ramping initiated...

1. stage - burning off organics complete

2. stage - carbonization began 1-8 am 2013/07/02