[labnetwork] N2 consumption by SRDs

[Nathan Nelson - Fitzpatrick]

Hi labnetwork,

My lab is going through a process of auditing our Nitrogen use, and an early target for saving on N2 are our spin rinse dryers.

We have four Sitek SRDs which are configured to continuously purge with N2 and to run occasionally (on a timer) to exercise the SRDs and run some DI water through them.  The constant N2 purge obviously consumes a ton of N2.

We’re considering either:


  *   Purchasing an (expensive) valve from Sitek that would cut off N2 flow when the SRD controllers are off.  We would then leave the SRD controllers off when they are not enabled by our lab users.
  *   Or we might consider setting up an interlock to drive a solenoid valve that would cut off N2 flow to the SRDs when they are not enabled in our lab management software.

I’m wondering what other interesting solutions people have fashioned to reduce N2 consumption by SRDs?

I’m also curious if there are any pitfalls we should look out for when pursuing something like this?

Many thanks in advance,
  -Nathan

--
Nathan Nelson-Fitzpatrick  PhD, PEng   (He/Him)
Director, Quantum-Nano Fabrication and Characterization Facility (QNFCF)
Office of Research
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON  N2L 3G1
P: 519-888-4567 ext. 31796
C: 226-218-3206
https://uwaterloo.ca/quantum-nano-fabrication-and-characterization-facility/
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