Helium recovery
Many systems require a constant vacuum level to achieve extremely low temperatures. In major research establishments such as CERN in Geneva, leaks in the pipeline system would result in immensely expensive downtime.
The operating temperature can only be maintained at a constant -271.3°C using helium to get the particles to collide at the speed of light.
The correct design of components and systems is, therefore, an integral component of the research operation. This is where our oil and dry-compressing vacuum solutions come to the fore. We are one of the strategic technology suppliers that can meet CERN's requirements for helium intake capacity, and integration into the control system.
In addition to the particle accelerator, our leak detectors at CERN are also used to test the large ATLAS detector's tightness, the CMS (compact muon spectrometer), and various components used in antimatter research.
In a standard pressure helium recovery system, vaporized helium is used in a process, then recaptured through exhaust lines. These lines run to a recovery vessel, where the gas is fed through a filter and then analyzed for purity. If the purity level is at least 99.9%, the helium is liquified and transferred to a storage tank.
