The basics of particle physics, the development of the particle accelerator, and the installation of the world’s largest such unit at CERN were discussed in Part 1. Here, we will take a closer look at this super collider and the cutting-edge vacuum technologies required to keep it operational.

Located 175 m (574 ft.) below ground on the border of Switzerland and France, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) accelerates subatomic particles to speeds approaching the speed of light to produce head on collisions between atoms and split them into their elemental parts, thus shedding light on the fundamental nature of matter.

In vacuum applications, cold traps are added to vacuum pumping systems either to remove unwanted contaminants (e.g. water, solvents, acidic or alkaline compounds) from the gas stream or to prevent pump backstreaming. These conditions can cause a loss of efficiency or damage when introduced into or emanating from the vacuum pumping system. In simplest terms, cold traps work by sublimating a gas molecule, that is, by transforming the molecule directly from the gas phase to the solid (crystalline) phase thus bypassing the liquid phase. The gas crystallizes out on a cold metal surface often appearing as “frost” on the trap.

Cold traps should be chosen that are large enough and cold enough to collect the condensable vapors in a vacuum system. Cold traps and cold caps refer to the application of cooled surfaces or baffles to prevent oil vapors from backstreaming (i.e. oil migration from the pumps into the chamber). In such cases, a baffle or a section of pipe containing a number of cooled vanes will be attached to the inlet of an existing pumping system. By cooling the baffle, either with a cryogenic liquid such as nitrogen, or by use of an electrically driven Peltier element (a thermoelectric heat pump device in which one side is cooled while the opposite side heats up when a voltage is placed across the device and which transfers heat from one side of the device to the other), oil vapor molecules that strike the baffle vanes will condense and thus be removed from the pumped cavity.

CERN (Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire) is located in a northwest suburb of Geneva, Switzerland and is the world’s leading center for collaboration on nuclear research. One of its many activities involves the study of  particle physics.

Particle physics is conducted in machines known as particle accelerators (aka particle colliders). These use electromagnetic fields to accelerate particles to high speeds and focus them into a fine beam. The world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) began operation at CERN in 2008. The LHC (Figure 1) is a 27 kilometer (16.8 mile) ring of superconducting magnets held at temperatures colder than outer space. Within this machine subatomic particles smash together at near light speed in an ultrahigh vacuum. It has allowed scientists unique insights into the fundamental building blocks of matter

Vacuum furnaces come in all shapes and sizes but common to each is that they require some type of vacuum vessel (Fig. 1). Most vacuum vessels in the heat treating industry are cylindrical in shape and either horizontal or vertical in orientation (Fig. Nos. 2 – 3). In general, vacuum vessel designs are made as small as possible so long as they don’t hamper the process being run in the vessel. There are several obvious reasons for this including the cost of the vessel itself as well as the vacuum hardware involved. In addition pumping systems become larger and operating costs tend to be higher (e.g. more gas is required for quenching).

Designs for vacuum vessels involve two distinct aspects; one structural and one related to the process application. The basic structural design falls in the realm of mechanical engineering following established industry guidelines, an example of which is the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section 8 Division 1 (Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels) for vacuum furnaces utilizing high-pressure gas quenching (above 14.7 psig). The design must take into account both the external and internal forces acting on the vessel to prevent buckling (i.e. structural instability) and deal with overpressure issues, both major concerns from a strength of materials standpoint.

The demands on space simulation chambers from the extremes of temperature and vacuum were discussed in Part One along with the development of space simulation chambers (aka space simulators) for testing of components used on vehicles for space travel such as sensors, landers and ion thrusters (Fig. 1) under the same conditions they will encounter during deployment in space. We continue this discussion by exploring the vacuum systems used to make these chambers function properly.

There is a wide range of commercially available space chambers, from small 460 mm diameter x 610 mm long (18” diameter x 24” long) units, to field-erected systems large enough to enclose a satellite, rocket section or space telescope. These large units can be 15.2 m (50 ft.) or more in diameter.

Finding leaks in vacuum furnaces is a task that few of us cherish but all of us know is important and necessary. Leaks are a problem experienced by almost every vacuum user. Leaks can occur suddenly or develop slowly over time but in either case, they are damaging both to product quality and to furnace internal components. In extreme cases, the problem is obvious: the furnace will not pump down and/or the hot zone (or heating elements) shows obvious signs of attack. Tiny leaks, however, are more common often going undetected because of the pumping systems ability to overcome them. However, even small leaks can cause continuous and sometimes catastrophic damage. Thus, routine leak checking and leak repair should be a part of any good vacuum furnace maintenance program.

Like any job, leak detection can be made easier by having the right tools, looking in the right places, having patience and using a great deal of common sense. Leaks can be inherent in the materials of construction, created during the manufacturing process, be introduced during maintenance or repair, or occur over time due to corrosion, wear, fatigue or stress. The question is: “Can the system tolerate the leak?” In other words, can the process and equipment survive the consequences of the leak? The answer is almost always, “No.”

The most obvious place to look for a leak is in and around the last place that was repaired or serviced. Begin by asking the question, “What was the last area worked on or modified? ” (e.g. thermocouples, power feedthroughs, door “O” rings, etc.). It is incredible how many leaks are found and corrected by simply asking questions before one begins leak detection in earnest.