Speaker
Description
Several gaseous detector installations at CERN make use of gas mixtures containing greenhouse gases, such as R-134a, SF6 and CF4. Due to the decreasing availability of these gases in the European Union and their consequent cost increase, several strategies have been implemented to reduce their use as much as possible.
Gas systems are responsible for preparing the gas mixture, recirculating it where possible, providing the required flows and pressures, purifying the mixture, and analysing it to ensure an optimal composition.
One main strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions consists of optimising the medium and large gas systems that provide the gas mixture to large detector installations at CERN experiments and facilities. In particular, employing gas recirculation and tuning the operational parameters to the needs of the detector can account for up to 90% of the initial GHG reduction.
A second approach consists of recovering the gas that cannot be recirculated. Techniques based on fractional and azeotropic separation, as well as membrane adsorption, are being used to operate several GHG recovery plants. New materials from the family of Metal-Organic Frameworks are also being studied and evaluated as possible candidates for new and efficient gas adsorption processes.
A third research line consists of identifying alternative gas mixtures, applying them to existing installations, and paving the way to ensure that future detector systems can be operated with more eco-friendly alternatives.
An overview of the current research lines and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from particle detector operation at CERN will be presented in this contribution.