** **

**Operating and Emergency Procedures for the**

**Engineering Run Gas and High Voltage Systems of the**

**PHENIX Central Tracking Detectors**

** **

**[PHENIX Procedure No. PP-2.5.2.5-03]{.underline}**

**[Revision: H]{.underline} [Date: 5-10-99]{.underline}**

** **

**[Hand Processed Changes]{.underline}**

** **

**[HPC No.]{.underline} [Date]{.underline} [Page Nos.]{.underline}
[Initials]{.underline}**

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**[Approvals]{.underline}**

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PHENIX S E & I Date Cognizant Scientist Date

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PHENIX QA/Safety Date RHIC ES&H Date

1.  **Purpose**

The purpose of this document is to define the local emergency plan for
operation of the Gas and High Voltage Systems for the PHENIX Central
Tracking Detectors during the Engineering Run (ER). In addition to the
Local Emergency Plan this document specifies the Operating Procedures
for the Drift Chamber prototype (DC), the Pad Chamber prototype (PC),
and the sector of the Time Expansion Chamber (TEC). Where possible the
Operating Procedures for the three subsystems involved have been made
uniform so that a single procedure would suffice for all three.

This Local Emergency Plan will ensure:

1.  the safety of all personnel from risks associated with the operation
    of the gas systems required for running the Central Tracking
    Detectors (CTD) during the ER,

2.  the safety of all personnel from risks associated with the operation
    of the high voltage systems required for running the CTD during the
    ER,

3.  the implementation of the appropriate emergency procedures,

4.  prompt notification of the appropriate RHIC and S&EP specialists,

5.  the maintenance of appropriate RHIC emergency status,

6.  the preservation and protection of the environment, and

7.  the preservation of BNL facilities and equipment.

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2.  **Responsibilities**

During the ER, there will be two levels of responsibility for the
oversight of the Central Tracking Gas System.

The first level of responsibility will be the PHENIX Shift Crew. During
any data taking period there will be at least four people on shift in
the PHENIX counting house. Prior to data taking, there will be a period
of chamber commissioning when the chambers are flushed with operating
gas and tested at high voltage before the IR is closed and the chambers
are inaccessible. During this commissioning phase the gas system will be
monitored by the team of Gas Experts every eight hours, at 8:00, 16:00
and 24:00. A record of the performance of the gas system will be kept by
the Gas Experts.

During data taking, it will be the responsibility of the PHENIX Shift
Crew to:

1.  *monitor the status and alarms for the gas system according to a
    prescribed check off list at least once a shift (eight hours).*

2.  *In the event of an alarm or irregularity, contact an expert from
    the Expert Call List given in Appendix A.*

The second level of responsibility is the Central Tracking System Gas
Experts. It is the responsibility of the Gas Experts to:

3.  *maintain the Central Tracking Gas Systems in a safe operating
    condition. This includes:*

    1.  changing gas cylinders when required,

    2.  setting, adjusting, and checking the gas mixture,

    3.  setting, adjusting, and checking the flow rates of gas,

    4.  checking the certification of the operating gas, (see details in
        Precautions, Section 4)

    5.  posting any special instructions or notifications as required,
        and

    6.  carrying out any emergency actions, as prescribed in the
        Procedures section of this document.

4.  *maintain the Central Tracking HV Systems in a safe operating
    condition. This includes*

    1.  verifying the readiness of the chamber for HV,

    2.  turning on the HV according to the operating procedures
        described below,

    3.  posting any special instructions or notifications as required,
        and

    4.  carrying out any emergency actions, as prescribed in the
        Procedures section of this document.

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3.  **Prerequisites**

The Central Tracking Gas Experts shall have read or have training in the
following areas:

1.  RHIC Project Local Emergency Plan, RHIC-OPM 3.0,

2.  BNL Compressed Gas Safety Training Course,

3.  BNL Electrical Safety I,

4.  BNL Lock Out/Tag Out Authorized Training,

5.  PHENIX Central Tracking Gas and High Voltage System Training,

6.  geographical layout of the experimental area (routes of egress,
    location of emergency equipment, phones and controls)

    Before any HV can be turned on, sufficient gas must have flowed
    through each of the detectors for 4 volume exchanges.

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4.  **Precautions**

    The safety of personnel is of primary importance. The Gas Experts
    shall take great care to ensure that the Central Tracking Gas and
    High Voltage Systems will be operated in a way that does not place
    personnel or equipment at risk of physical harm.

    1.  *Gas System Precautions:*

        1.  All gas cylinder storage is outside of the building in a gas
            rack. Only non-flammable gas will be brought into the
            building.

        2.  The operating pressure of gas lines inside the building will
            not exceed 5 psig thereby eliminating the hazard of high
            pressure compressed gas lines.

        3.  In order to ensure that the operating gas always remains
            non-flammable, a system of control valves has been designed
            into the system. As shown in Attachment 2, Figure 9.3.2, the
            P-10 and Argon each pass through a two-stage high pressure
            regulator and an in-line regulator before arriving at a
            flowmeter panel. The P-10 uses a single flowmeter and the
            Argon uses a single flowmeter. The ratio of flow rates is 4
            to 1 by volume. The flowmeters were individually calibrated
            by Leigh Hawkins. Following the flowmeters, the gases pass
            through pneumatic shut-off valves before they are mixed in a
            common tube. After the mixing tube, the gas passes through a
            back-pressure regulator. Flowmeters perform best when they
            function in a constant pressure environment, so keeping an
            in-line regulator just upstream of the flowmeters and a
            back-pressure regulator immediately downstream of the
            flowmeters makes for more stable operation. Each of the
            gases has a photohelic pressure gauge monitoring the
            pressure in the flowmeter volume. It is the Argon photohelic
            that ensures the certification of the gas mixture, and keeps
            the gas in the experimental hall from becoming flammable.
            Should the Argon cylinder run low, or for any other reason
            reduce the flow to the Argon flowmeter, a signal from the
            Argon photohelic will shut of all gas flow. Normal operation
            of the system is calibrated to produce a gas mixture that is
            92% Argon and 8% Ethane. Tests of the system have been
            conducted by Leigh Hawkins. These tests show that all gas
            flow will be stopped if the Argon flow is reduced enough to
            produce a mixture that is 8.25% Ethane. At the same time
            that the gas flow is stopped, an alarm will sound in the
            PHENIX Counting Room to alert the people on shift that the
            Central Tracking Gas System needs attention. Since P-8.5 is
            considered non-flammable, this control system will protect
            us from operating with flammable gas in the chambers.

            *4.2 High Voltage System Precautions:*

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        1.  The total stored electrical energy in the high voltage
            systems is low. The HV power supplies are current limited at
            less than 1 microamp per channel. All HV points are covered
            by an insulating layer in order to eliminate the danger to
            personnel. When the DC and PC-1 prototypes are mounted on
            the carriage the HV points are inaccessible to personnel.
            The TEC section will be mounted on the floor of the
            experimental hall. When TEC testing is being conducted and
            HV is on the TEC, there will be a yellow tape barrier and an
            HV warning sign posted around the TEC to indicate to
            personnel that they need to keep their distance. When the IR
            is closed no barriers or warnings will be required.

5.  **Emergency Procedures**

    1.  *In the event of a fire or fire alarm in Building 1008, members
        of the PHENIX Shift Crew shall (in order of priority)*

        1.  Pull the nearest fire alarm if the alarm is not already
            sounding (Attachment 1 gives the layout of the building 1008
            showing the location of the gas system area and the fire
            alarm pull stations in the area),

        2.  The 1008 fire safety system is interlocked with the HV and
            LV power supplies. Activation of the fire alarm
            automatically shuts down the power to all high voltage (HV)
            and low voltage (LV) supplies,

        3.  Turn off the breaker controlling gas flow to the chambers,
            if this can be accomplished without risk. The location of
            the breaker box is indicated in Attachment 2. When the
            breaker is thrown, the solenoid valve will automatically
            shut, stopping all gas flow into the chambers.

        4.  Go to a safe location and call 911 or 2222.

        5.  Notify the Gas Expert On Call that an emergency affecting
            the Gas System has occurred.

        6.  Await the arrival of the Fire/Rescue Group. If the fire is
            small, the Shift Crewmember may return to the area and
            attempt to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher.

        7.  The Shift Leader shall report to the Fire/Rescue Captain
            upon arrival at the Command Post. The Shift Leader shall
            notify the Fire/Rescue Captain whether the chamber gas is
            still flowing or not. The Shift Leader shall also notify the
            Fire/Rescue Captain that the cylinder valves on the P-10 and
            Argon bottles are open, and P-8 gas is still flowing to the
            chambers.

    2.  *In the event that a gas line ruptures, the Shift Crew members
        shall:*

        1.  Close the valve on the top of the gas cylinders supplying
            P-10 and Argon to the system.

        2.  Turn off the power to all high voltage (HV) and low
            voltage (LV) supplies connected to the system,

        3.  Contact a Gas Expert (names and contact information are
            posted next to the gas supply rack, and in Appendix 1).

6.  **Standard Operating Procedures**

    There are two elements to these Operating Procedures. The first
    element covers running gas to the chambers. The second covers the
    high voltage system for the chambers. These Procedures shall be
    carried out by Central Tracking Gas Experts only.

    The three PHENIX subsystems that make use of this gas system are the
    TEC, PC, and DC. All three subsystems use the same operating gas for
    the ER. This gas, called P-8, is a mixture of 8% Methane and 92%
    Argon. Since this gas is not a standard gas mixture we will be
    producing our own gas mixture from P-10 cylinders and Argon
    cylinders. The gas cylinders will be located in a gas rack outside
    of the South door of the Assembly Hall. All mixing will take place
    outside of the building in order to ensure that no flammable gas
    will enter building 1008.

    For details of the gas system, please refer to Attachment 2. The
    labels of valves and meters in the operation instructions below
    refer to parts identified in the figures in Attachment 2.

    1.  *Gas System Procedures: In order to start the flow of operating
        gas through a chamber when the chambers are first brought in to
        the experimental hall, it is assumed that the chambers are
        filled with air or dry nitrogen. The chambers will be flushed
        with nitrogen in storage, or will be kept sealed. This is the
        procedure for bringing on a chamber for the first time.*

        1.  Open the cylinder valve on the Nitrogen bottle (V26) in
            order to provide compressed gas to operate the pneumatic
            shut-off valves V23 and V24.

        2.  Verify that the Nitrogen regulator (V27) is set to 60 psi.

        3.  Disable the Low Flow Shut-off switches S1 and S2.

        4.  Verify that the pneumatic shut-off valves (V23 and V24) are
            open.

        5.  Verify that the cylinder valves on the Argon and P-10
            cylinders are closed (V1, V2, V3 and V4).

        6.  Verify that the pressure regulators on the Argon and P-10
            cylinders are closed (V5, V6, V7, V8).

        7.  Verify that the manual shut-off valve V18 is closed.

        8.  Verify that the in-line regulators V19 and V20 are closed.

        9.  Verify that the needle valves on the flowmeters are closed
            (V21 and V22).

        10. Verify that the needle valves for the input flowmeters on
            the Central Tracking Gas Panel are closed (V29, V30, V31).

        11. Verify that the Argon blow-down valves V9, V10, and the P-10
            blow-down valves V11, V12 are closed.

        12. Slowly open the valve on top of the first Argon gas cylinder
            (V1). Record the pressure remaining in the cylinder.

        13. Adjust the Argon regulator (V5) output to 20 psig. (Note: If
            you overshoot in setting the regulator output pressure you
            may need to briefly open the blow-down valve V9 in order to
            vent the regulator.)

        14. Slowly open the valve on top of the second Argon gas
            cylinder (V2). Record the pressure remaining in the
            cylinder.

        15. Adjust the Argon regulator (V6) output to 15 psig. (Note: If
            you overshoot in setting the regulator output pressure you
            may need to briefly open the blow-down valve V10 in order to
            vent the regulator.)

        16. Verify that the Argon Inline regulator V19 output pressure
            is set to 5 psi.

        17. Open the System Blow Down Valve V17.

        18. Verify that the Back Pressure regulator V25 is set to 3 psi.

        19. Verify that the Argon flowmeter V21 is set so that the steel
            ball is at the level indicated on the flowmeter by an arrow.
            (Note: the darker nylon ball should rise to the top of the
            flow tube in normal operation.)

        20. Slowly open the valve on top of the first P-10 cylinder
            (V3). Record the pressure remaining in the cylinder.

        21. Adjust the P-10 regulator (V7) output to 20 psig. (Note: If
            you overshoot in setting the regulator output pressure you
            may need to briefly open the blow-down valve V11 in order to
            vent the regulator.)

        22. Slowly open the valve on top of the second P-10 gas cylinder
            (V4). Record the pressure remaining in the cylinder.

        23. Adjust the P-10 regulator (V8) output to 15 psig. (Note: If
            you overshoot in setting the regulator output pressure you
            may need to briefly open the blow-down valve V12 in order to
            vent the regulator.)

        24. Verify that the P-10 Inline regulator V20 output pressure is
            set to 5 psi.

        25. Verify that the P-10 flowmeter V22 is set so that the steel
            ball is at the level indicated on the flowmeter by an arrow.
            (Note: the darker nylon ball should rise to the top of the
            flow tube in normal operation.)

        26. Verify that the Back Pressure regulator V25 is set to 3 psi.

        27. Close the System Blow Down Valve V17.

        28. Verify the Argon pressure reading PT1 is set to 5 psi.

        29. Verify the P-10 pressure reading PT2 is set to 5 psi.

        30. Enable the Low Flow Shut-off Switches S1 and S2.

        31. Open the System manual valve V18.

        32. Verify that the Low pressure regulator V28 is set to 2\"
            H2O.

        33. Open the DC flowmeter V29 and set it to 1 Liter Per Minute
            (LPM).

        34. Verify that the DC bubbler B1 is not bubbling.

        35. Open the PC flowmeter V30 and set it to 0.1 LPM.

        36. Verify that the PC bubbler B2 is not bubbling.

        37. Open the TEC flowmeter V31 and set it to 2 LPM.

        38. Verify that the TEC bubbler is not bubbling.

        39. After sufficient time has passed to pressurize the chambers,
            verify that the exhaust flowmeters V32, V33, V34, indicate
            flow. Check that the exhaust flow from each of the tracking
            chambers is reading their nominal values; 2 LPM for the TEC,
            1 LPM for the DC prototype and 0.1 LPM for the PC prototype.
            (Markers attached to the three flow meters indicate the
            nominal values.) It may take some time after starting flow
            before the exhaust flow rate is stabilized. If the exhaust
            flow is not normal, shut off the input flow by closing the
            appropriate needle valve (V29, V30 or V31).

        40. Look at the three bubblers to see if there is any venting of
            over-pressure gas. Under normal operating conditions the
            bubblers should not be bubbling. If bubbling continues,
            close the input flowmeter (V29, V30, or V31).

        41. Record the time and date that gas flow was started for each
            chamber.

        42. Allow the chamber to flow Mixed Gas until there has been at
            least four exchanges of gas inside the chamber. This
            represents about 4 hours for the PC-1 prototype. For the DC
            prototype and the TEC this represents nearly two days of
            flow at the nominal flow rates.

        43. It is now safe to turn on the high voltage on the chamber.

    2.  *Gas System Procedures: In order to change a gas cylinder:*

        1.  In normal operation, only one of the two gas cylinders will
            be flowing gas at any one time. Begin by locating the empty
            cylinder, and closing the valve on top of the empty gas
            cylinder (V1 or V2 for Argon, V3 or V4 for P-10).

        2.  Adjust the regulator on the cylinder flowing gas to 20 psi.
            (V5 or V6 for Argon, V7 or V8 for P-10).

        3.  Open the Blow Down Valve for the empty cylinder (V9 or V10
            for Argon, V11 or V12 for P-10).

        4.  Unscrew the regulator connection from the empty gas
            cylinder.

        5.  Replace empty cylinder with a full cylinder.

        6.  Ensure that the full cylinder is chained securely in the gas
            rack.

        7.  Verify that the cylinder valve is clean and dry.

        8.  Secure the regulator to the full cylinder.

        9.  Open the cylinder valve (V1 or V2 for Argon, V3 or V4 for
            P-10).

        10. Close the Blow Down Valve (V9 or V10 for Argon, V11 or V12
            for P-10).

        11. Verify that the regulator is set to 15 psi.

        12. Record the starting cylinder pressure and the time and date
            in the gas logbook.

    3.  *Gas System Procedures: In order to shut off gas flow to a
        chamber:*

        1.  Close the needle valve for the chamber that you want to stop
            gas flowing to (V29, V30 or V31).

        2.  Record the time and date in the gas logbook.

    4.  *Gas System Procedures: In order to shut off all gas flow:*

        1.  Close the System Manual Valve V18.

        2.  Close the valves on top of the Argon and P-10 gas cylinders
            (V1, V2, V3 and V4).

        3.  Record the pressure remaining in the cylinders, and the time
            and date in the gas logbook.

    5.  *HV System Procedures: In normal operations the experimental
        hall will be closed to personnel making access to any HV point
        impossible. Under such conditions, follow this procedure for
        turning on the HV:*

        1.  Check that the appropriate current limits are in place for
            the power supply. Each subsystem shall maintain a HV logbook
            where the operating parameters of the HV settings are
            recorded. This shall include the current limits, target
            voltages, ramp rates, operating voltages and currents, and
            trip tolerances.

        2.  Check that the target voltage for each HV output line is
            appropriate (50 volts). The first stage of bringing on the
            HV shall be a single increment in the ramp up. This is
            because the current trips are disabled during ramping, and
            in order to locate a short in the system, it is necessary to
            halt the ramping and check the current at the earliest
            possible stage.

        3.  Check that the ramp up rate for each HV supply is
            appropriate (50 volts per step).

        4.  Begin ramping up the HV.

        5.  If any of the HV supplies trips, disable all HV supplies for
            that chamber until the reason for the trip is understood.
            Then begin the procedure again from 6.5.1

        6.  If there are no HV trips, verify that the operating currents
            are appropriate.

        7.  Change the target voltage to the correct operating voltage
            for each chamber, as given in the operating log for each
            chamber.

        8.  Continue ramping up the HV.

        9.  When ramping is complete, verify that the operating currents
            are appropriate, as given in the operating log for each
            chamber.

        10. HV is ready for chamber testing.

    6.  *HV System Procedures: Turning off high voltage to a chamber:*

        1.  Begin ramping down the HV.

        2.  Verify by the read back that the HV is off the system.

    7.  *HV System Procedures: If there is access to the IR and
        personnel are working in the area around the TEC, then it is
        necessary to take extra precautions when turning on the HV for
        the TEC. In this case, follow this procedure for turning on the
        TEC HV.:*

        1.  Verify that the yellow isolation chains surrounds the
            subsystem to be energized in order to ensure the appropriate
            working clearance for personnel.

        2.  Verify that chamber gas is flowing, and that sufficient time
            has been allowed for adequate purging of the chamber. Each
            subsystem shall maintain a gas log book where the gas flow
            history is recorded.

        3.  Place the "HV ON" sign in a prominent position.

        4.  Check that the appropriate current limits are in place for
            the power supply. Each subsystem shall maintain a HV logbook
            where the operating parameters of the HV settings are
            recorded. This shall include the current limits, target
            voltages, ramp rates, operating voltages and currents, and
            trip tolerances.

        5.  Check that the target voltage for each HV output line is
            appropriate (50 volts). The first stage of bringing on the
            HV shall be a single increment in the ramp up. This is
            because the current trips are disabled during ramping, and
            in order to locate a short in the system, it is necessary to
            halt the ramping and check the current at the earliest
            possible stage.

        6.  Check that the ramp up rate for each HV supply is
            appropriate (50 volts per step).

        7.  Begin ramping up the HV.

        8.  If any of the HV supplies trips, disable all HV supplies for
            that chamber until the reason for the trip is understood.
            Then begin the procedure again from 6.5.1

        9.  If there are no HV trips, verify that the operating currents
            are appropriate.

        10. Change the target voltage to the correct operating voltage
            for each chamber, as given in the operating log for each
            chamber.

        11. Continue ramping up the HV.

        12. When ramping is complete, verify that the operating currents
            are appropriate, as given in the operating log for each
            chamber.

        13. HV is ready for chamber testing.

    8.  *HV System Procedures: Turning off high voltage to a chamber:*

        1.  Begin ramping down the HV.

        2.  Verify by read back that the HV is off the system.

        3.  Remove the "HV ON" sign.

7.  **Documentation**

    Each subsystem is responsible for maintaining its own logbooks for
    their gas system and their HV system.

8.  **References**

    1.  RHIC-OPM 3.0, \"Local Emergency Plan for the Relativistic Heavy
        Ion Collider Project."

    2.  BNL ES&H Health Standard, Section 1.4.0, \"Compressed Gas
        Cylinder Safety\", December 18, 1991.

    3.  BNL Occupational Health and Safety Guide (Interim), Section
        4.11.0, \"Installation of Flammable Gas Systems (Experimental &
        Temporary Installations)\", June 21, 1989.

         

9.  **Appendix A**

    1.  Attachment 1: - Call list for the Central Tracking Gas System
        Experts.

    2.  Attachment 2 -- Layout of the building showing:

        1.  Central Tracking Detector locations,

        2.  Gas cylinder location,

        3.  Fire alarm pull boxes and fire extinguishers,

        4.  Telephones

    3.  Attachment 3 -- Schematic of the Central Tracking Gas System.

        1.  Overall Gas System Schematic

        2.  Detail of Mixing Panel

        3.  Detail of Distribution Panel

        4.  Detail of Return Panel