D0 Silicon Upgrade: Vapor Pressure Thermometry System Near LN2 Subcooler

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) is in the process of upgrading its detectors. Among these upgrades is the need for more transfer lines containing both liquid nitrogen and helium gas. These two fluids are used to provide the necessary operating cryogenic temperatures for the various detectors, such as the Visible Light Photon Counter (VLPC) and the solenoid inside the detector's calorimeter. With additional piping, it is important to monitor the temperatures to assure that the detectors can operate correctly. This can be done two ways. The first method is to use a Resistance Temperature Device, called a RTD, which is made using either a carbon resistor or a platinum resistor and measures the temperature based on resistance. The second method is to use a vapor-pressure thermometry system. This design will focus on the second method. A nitrogen Vapor Pressure Thermometer (VPT) system is designed to determine the temperature of the liquid nitrogen (LN2) supply line, after exiting the LN2 subcooler, inside the D-Zero Assembly Hall. The operating temperature range is designed from 77 to 300 Kelvin with an initial charge pressure of 100 psia. A cylindrical bulb with a 0.1875-inch diameter and 0.625-inch length allows for minimum cold and warm 1/4-inch O.D. SS 304L tubing lengths, 12-inch and 18-inch respectively, and maintains a liquid level of 50% inside the bulb during cold operation. The amount of nitrogen needed to fill the cylindrical bulb approximately half full is 0.149 grams. In order to conform to the conventional cold volume and warm volume VPT systems, we need to enlarge the existing 1/2-inch x 2-inch SCH. 10 LN2 supply line over a one foot section to 1-inch x 3-inch SCH. 10 piping.