Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 20:58

Evaporator is setup for UO2/Nb sintering process.  

Target oven filled with 402 discs of UO2/Nb, 5.0cm in length with tot mass of 61.49g. 

The chamber has been pumped down for 7 hrs, vac is currently at 4.6e-6 Torr. 

Parament set as follow, see attachment 1. 

 TGHT ramped up to 57A.  Pressure is stabilizing at 3.8e-5 Torr.  

Auto heating initiated.  0.1A/min.  Max TGHT = 500A. 

Sunday, February 19, 2012, 11:41 

TGHT has stayed at 500A for >10hrs,  Vac levels at 2.9e-6 Torr.

Target cool down initiated @ 2A/min.

 Monday, February 20, 2012, 10:23

Target has been cooled down over the weekend.  Vac currently at 5.77e-7 Torr.  

See attachment#2: UO2_Nb_1_striptool.jpg 

Chamber  vented in atmosphere.   

Monday, February 20, 2012, 16:23 

Pumps/ power supplies off. 

 Wednesday, May 24, 2017, 09:31

Last week the vacuum trip off point was changed to 8e-4 Torr when previously it was set to 8e-5 Torr.

Vacuum limits were set to stop at 5e-5 Torr and back-off at 6e-5 Torr

Now vacuum limits will be changed by an order of magnitude in an attempt to speed up the processes in the evaporator.

 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

 Thursday, September 07, 2017, 11:00 -12:00

The roughing pump was disconnected from Evaporator 1, along with the exhaust/ventilation. No contamination was found on swipes.

The oil was refilled.

The roughing pump was then moved away from the PLC to allow access for Dave Morris. The RP can be reconnected and tested after the PLC work is complete.

Work permit # I2017-09-07-1

 Thursday, December 11, 2014, 10:16

water valve shut off for lab closure over the holidays.

 Friday, January 23, 2015, 15:02

water supply turned back on to EVAP1 and fume hoods