Here are the initial f= indings for the Chemistry department at Los Alamos, basically nothing out o= f the ordinary with the samples taken from 1008. We can discuss this furthe= r, if additional tests should be pursued.

Walt=

 

 

Hi Walt,

 

We have not found anyt= hing analytically that would lead me to think the Novec is causing your pro= blems.

 

IR spectroscopy: Four = of the five samples were identical to one another, with no contaminants at = detectable levels, and reasonably consistent with previous Novec fluids we = have analyzed (we don’t have an independent Novec 7200 sample for comparison).  The exception was the “Remc= or chemistry” sample which contains a fair amount of oxidized oil (th= is was confirmed by evaporating the fluid and observing the residual oil).<= o:p>

 

Water:  Each samp= le had 20-30 parts per million of water.  Over recent years we have me= asured water content from 5 to 50 ppm for chlorinated solvents, and FC and = Novec fluids, so these are reasonable measurements.

 

Vapor Pressure:  = The spec value of 11.6 kPa corresponds to about 87 Torr.  Your samples= ranged between 76 (Remcor) and 81 Torr (new drum), so there is nothing str= ange with VP.

[ Atsushi,
The "Remcore Chemistry" sample is from the Remcore chiller at chemistry located in the strip pixel tent. It is a fairly concentrated sample since when we took it, most of the Novec that was in the unit had evaporated away.
I believe this chiller is not used by the pixel group when testing
Rob ]

 

ICPMS:  Your samp= les had 1 to 4 parts per billion aluminum, except for the Remcor sample whi= ch had 28 ppb.  While the solubility of aluminum in Novec is most like= ly very low, we would have expected higher amounts of aluminum if the fluid were eating through the tubing.=

 

pH:  Novec is non= -aqueous and non-ionic, so pH measurements are not possible.

 

 

If you want to pursue = additional characterization of the fluid we can do gas chromatography-mass = spec.  Also, we could look at the tubing directly.  I’m gue= ssing that may depend on what you see when you look at the cooling tubes.

 

 

Please let me know if = you have any questions.
Thanks,
Dan Kelly

 

Hi Dan, a simple request, could you test the samples= to see what their PH levels are? Is there any chance this material has bec= ome slightly acidic – like Hydrofluoric Acid?

Walt