Project Title / Client Name

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (U.S. Department of Energy)

Project Type

Laboratory safety / Ventilation & purge system improvement.

Goal

Eliminate back-drafting that was increasing oxygen levels inside a nitrogen-blanketed enclosure beyond acceptable limits.

Products Used

360 SIPHON Vent Cap

Result

The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility uses a nitrogen-blanketed, 5,000-cubic-foot enclosure to capture residual beam energy. The original vent system allowed outside air to back-draft into the enclosure, causing oxygen levels to rise above safe thresholds. After installing the 360 Siphon—and completing related sealing work—the facility observed a major improvement in airflow and purge effectiveness.

Customer Comments : 

“Gents,

Last week, after the electricians sealed up the electrical box on the N2 pump and facilities installed the new vent cap on the stack, I made a couple measurements at the dump vent stack for flow and O2.

The flow was significantly higher than it had been in the past (there was a mild breeze blowing, and the effect of the gusts of wind could clearly be seen, drawing the gas up the vertical stack). The manufacturer of the cap says that even a 1 mph wind will establish a positive draw and the measurement confirmed that.

The O2 level is at the lower limit of what the meter could read (essentially 0% oxygen). This is a great improvement, and indicates that we are getting an effective purge (better than the design goal). I want to confirm this with a measurement from inside the hall.

Thanks to everyone for your support.

~Keith”