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32/1-A24 (CERN)
Gas R&D activities
Gas R&D activities
Key Outcomes
The team reviewed a draft presentation for the GIF++ user meeting on November 4, covering 2024 testing campaigns, ZD gas mixture results, and future R&D directions. Parallel workstreams on a new gas (R1336MZZZ) calibration, HF/HCl sensor validation, and Garfield++ avalanche simulations were discussed, each with active blockers requiring follow-up.
Decisions Made
· GIF++ Presentation : Keep ZD as the focus; YD omitted (not tested in 2026); bracket notation used to distinguish prior-year work
· Future testing: No further gas tests at GIF++; focus shifts to lab performance, aging studies, and decomposition measurements
· Aging/decomposition: EcoGas is starting aging studies; ISE probe measurement to run in parallel with sensor work
· Dry-cal instrument: Flush with nitrogen/air after every measurement with novel gases to prevent condensation overnight
· Simulation contact: Reach out to Marnik, or Dario regarding Garfield++ gas mixture rounding issue
Completed
· GIF++ 30 mixtures tested in 24 days in 2024; ~20 ZD-containing mixtures characterized in total since program start
· Validated ZD setup reliability; monitoring of all bunker parameters (source status, environment) operational
· May campaign: CO2/R1233 and 40% mixture tests; July campaign: ZD + standard 30% CO2 mixtures
· Avalanche energy dispersion plots generated in Garfield++; BEB ionization cross-section formula benchmarked against LXCat data for helium and R134A
Blockers
· R1336MZZ(Z) vapor pressure too low (~105–110 mbar observed vs. 500–600 mbar expected at 20–25°C) — bottle likely too cold in rack below ventilation output; ticket reopened to raise lab temperature
· Dry-cal flowmeter not responding this morning despite stable bottle pressure — needs verification with known nitrogen/air flow before further use
· HF sensor reliability uncertain — zero readings on CO2 flow tests after previously measuring offsets; sensor may be depleted or defective; new sensors shipped, expected next week
· Garfield++ gas mixture — output rounds mixture fractions to integers, suggesting internal composition mismatch
Pending Confirmation
· Whether to add heater to R1336MZZ(Z) line (same approach used for ZD) once a second heater unit is acquired
· Avalanche cross-section overlay plot (Garfield energy spectrum vs. LXCAT cross-sections) — deferred, not urgent
· IR intensity values for vibrational cross-section formula: measured values preferred (~10% better than approximation) but unavailable for new gases
· Whether ISE probe decomposition measurement can be completed before year-end
Open Questions
· Exact time required to validate high-luminosity performance at 300 Hz/cm² (estimate: ~100 mC/cm²/year at GIF++; HL-LHC requirement ~500 mC/cm²)
· Whether streamer probability or avalanche-streamer separation is the better metric for mixture comparison in the presentation
· Best algorithm to handle spuriously high streamer probability at first measurement point (current workaround: ignore first point whre detector efficiency is almost zero)
Action Items
· Henrietta/Max: Verify dry-cal with nitrogen flow; attempt to purge R1336MZZ(Z) line; consider adding heater to rack
· Henrietta/Max: Re-test with previous pipe configuration to confirm whether HF sensor is live; compare with new sensors upon arrival
· Max: Contact Garfield++ developers (Piet/Dario) about gas mixture rounding; overlay cross-sections on avalanche energy plot when ready
· Matteo/Andrea/Emiliano: Prepare summary of work done for the M&O meeting (Matteo, Andrea Thursday, October 29, Emiliano Thursday, November 5)
· Team: Organize slides for section meeting tentatively scheduled November 16; prepare separate presentations for M&O and R&D
Gas R&D activities 2026-10-15 10:35(GMT+2:00)
Action Items
· Emmanuel: Run updated column simulation with corrected condenser temperature (−8°C target) and evaluate pressure increase options
· Emmanuel: Coordinate mass flow meter procurement for exhaust flow measurement and reflux ratio calculation
· Stef/detector team: Email Jani? (CC supervisor?) to confirm detector pad dimensions
· Stef: Redo efficiency analysis with 9 mm pitch; test smaller coincidence time window (50–100 ns instead of 200 ns) to check fake coincidence rate
· Maximilian/Henrietta: Connect sensors directly to CO2 mass flow controller after SF6 recalibration; test flow variation over order-of-magnitude range
· Database owner: Identify all scripts writing to InfluxDB; update to TimescaleDB adapter before January
· Michal/Miguel: Register Atlas TGC electrical items in EAM; prepare rack labeling plan
· Emiliano: Complete mixer and pump analysis; present final results at M&O meeting (November 5th)
· Team: Prepare one slide per activity for section meeting (end of October/early November) and Annual GIF meeting (November 4th)
Gas R&D activities 2026-10-07 10:11(GMT+2:00)
Action Items
· Matteo: Identify relevant electron interaction processes for gas; begin parallel ORCA setup to test what quantities are computable.
· Andrea: Implement exhaust collection buffer (helium-filled, ~0.7–1 L) to enable single-shot GC analysis of desorption products; recalibrate GC scaling accordingly.
· Andrea: Run binary mixture test (R134A / isobutane only, 70–30) at 2.5 bar and 5°C to isolate adsorption behavior without SF6.
· Emmanuel: Investigate distillation operating conditions assuming fixed reboiler at ~0°C to find optimal pressure/temperature for best achievable purity.
· Stefania: Complete tracking module for time resolution; analyze charge distribution vs. drift field for ZE mixture before next GDD telescope run.
· Stefania: Check delivery times for mechanical detector components; request Andrea to add to workshop plan; restock lab connectors, valves, and Swagelok fittings.
· Roberto: Send distillation PowerPoint to professor in Milano.
Gas R&D activities 2026-10-01 09:44(GMT+2:00)
Action Items
· Emmanuel/Maria Cristina/Roberto: Investigate cooling circuit piping and look for work needed to implement parallel configuration for condenser/reboiler.
· Roberto: Resolve ASPEN simulation software license issue; coordinate with gas separation group call.
Gas R&D activities 2026-09-24
Action Items
Gas R&D activities 2026-09-17
Action Items
· Max: Check Fe-55 source activity/decay rate — assess if a second source is needed before Run 4; contact radioprotection if new purchase required.
· Ryan/Emmanuel: Investigate why CMS experimental temperature (~–50°C) diverged from simulation prediction at 30% CO2.
· MOF simulation lead: Begin kinematic/molecular dynamics study; include CO2 and H2O molecules in future simulation runs.
· Max: Check which 2017 gas measurement data is available vs. missing; confirm gas inventory in the gas room.
· Ryan/Emmanuel: Look into binary interaction parameters for R1233ZD, R1224YD + isobutane for potential distillation simulation.
Gas R&D activities 2026-09-03
Action Items
· Max: Swap strip profile in frame C; confirm impedance fix for detector 32.
· Albin: Add CF3I and C4F10 molecules to the simulation table.
· Max: Finalize plots for ECOGAS contribution from May test beam and ZD scan results.
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