7th International Workshop on Ring Imaging Cherenkov detectors (RICH 2010)

The Cherenkov radiator system of the High Momentum Particle IDentification detector of the ALICE experiment at CERN-LHC

6 mai 2010, 10:00

20m

Oustau Calendal Conference Center

Poster Technological aspects of Cherenkov detectors Poster Session 2 (Summary)

Orateur

Dr PASTORE COSIMO (POLITECNICO DI BARI & INFN)

Description

The aim of this talk is to present the design, the implementation and the operational modes of the Liquid Circulation System (LCS) built to circulate, purify and monitor the liquid perfluorohexane (C6F14) in the ALICE HMPID. The HMPID RICH uses C6F14 as Cherenkov radiator medium circulating in twenty-one quartz trays. The LCS features a pressure-regulated closed circuit, ensuring the C6F14 highest transparency to ultraviolet light. Intrinsically safe working conditions are obtained thanks to a novel liquid distribution “cascade” system. Moreover the system is protected against anomalous working conditions by a dedicated control system which operates it in both automatic and manual mode, locally and remotely, safeguarding the quartz radiator vessels. The LCS is isolated from the external environment by means of aerial lines where anhydrous argon flows in order to avoid the contact of the liquid with air, to allow pressure equilibrium between all elements and to convey the C6F14 vapour toward a cold trap station. The LCS has been fully commissioned over the last two years and proved to meet all requirements thus enabling HMPID to perform on cosmic ray data as by design and to successfully collect the first data during the start of the LHC operation in November 2009.