The procedures to vent/pump the S800 Intermediate Image box, and/or filling the PPAC detectors with gas must be done carefully to ensure that the PPACs are not damaged. For instance, before venting the chamber, we have to make sure that the PPACs are empty and equalized with respect to the vacuum in the chamber. In order to avoid errors, an automated gas handling system (II-GHS) was designed to perform these tasks safety. The system is schematically illustrated in the figure below. It shows the status of the valves (red: closed, white: open) when the intermediate image chamber is under vacuum and the PPACs are filled with gas:

The II-GHS equipment (valves, flow-meter, pipes, etc.) are located on the west balcony of the top level in the S3 vault (see figure below):

Requirements: PanelMate files S3_Gas_Handling and S800Vac

• Verify that PPACs are in automatic mode with gas removed (S3_Gas_Handling)
  • The “GH System Status box should read “Auto Mode Gas Removed”
  • If gas is removed but the system is not in the automatic mode, consult the Beam Physicists or Device Physicist. NOTE: the only valves that should be open in S3_Gas_Handling are the “Det Bypass” and “Chmbr Bypass
• Verify that PPACs are not biased:
  • Check that the detectors are unbiased by opening the HV GUI
  • Notify the system of the bias-off state by selecting the “I214BON_CONFIRM” box in S3_Gas_Handling and clicking “PP BIAS OFF CONFIRMED”
• Isolate chamber by closing gate valves I212GV and I215GV
• Turn off ion gauge I213IG
• Open S800Vac and go to page 03 (“Intermediate image box vacuum system sec 15”)
• Check box “PUMPDOWN STATUS INTERMEDIATE IMAGE BOX”. It should read “Good vacuum”

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• In order to begin venting process, select that box and click “BEGIN VENTING PROCEDURE”
  • Box “VENT STATUS” should change from “VENT PROCEDURE STOPPED” to “WAITING FOR VENT TIMER”.
  • Turbo gate valve I214GV will be automatically closed and pressure in chamber will start rising (as seen in I215PG) .
  • When I215PG reads atmospheric pressure, select the box “VENT STATUS” and click “STOP VENTING PROCESS”. .

• The status in the box “VENT STATUS” should change from “WAITING FOR VENT TIMER” to “VENT PROCEDURE STOPPED”
• You can now open the chamber

Requirements: PanelMate files S3_Gas_Handling and S800Vac

• Verify that Chamber is closed and pressure-relief valve (north side of the chamber) is properly closed (NOTE: sometimes, due to overpressure from dry N2 during the venting procedure, the O-ring in pressure-relief valve flange is moved out of place)
• Verify that PPACs are not biased by opening the HV GUI
• IMPORTANT: Close manual roughing pump valve close to the Intermediate-image chamber
• Insert PPACs/turn on light (Diagnostic Drives PanelMate) and verify condition through sight window on south side of the chamber (be careful no to bump the bullet camera).
• Open S800Vac and go to page 03 (“Intermediate image box vacuum system sec 15”)
• Check “PUMPDOWN STATUS INTERMEDIATE IMAGE BOX”; it should read “PUMPDOWN STOPPED”. Select that box and click on “START PUMPDOWN”. Nothing will happen because the manual roughing pump valve is closed.
• Slowly crack manual roughing valve
  • Start slow (< 1 Torr/sec). Pressure is displayed in the digital display of the Granville-Phillips 275 Mini-Convectron gauge, sitting on top of the chamber (or in I215PG in S800Vac PanelMate)
  • Verify PPACs changing shape through sighting window
  • When PPACs equalize, increase to 5 Torr/sec
• Once roughing valve is fully open, retract PPACs and turn lights off.
• When the pressure in I215PG is below 200 mTorr, the Turbo Pump will start automatically through the following sequence:
  • I214RV will be closed
  • I214FV will be opened
  • I214GV will be opened
• When the pressure ready by I215PG is few mTorr, you can turn on the ion gauge I213IG. Good vacuum will take ~1-2 hours.
• NOTE: WHAT TO DO IF PUMPDOWN TIMER EXPIRES BEFORE TURBO PUMP IS ON