1.Helium Leak Detection Facility

Facility to carry out leak detection of individual vacuum components and in-situ leak testing of experimental setups using a Helium Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector. Leak testing is carried out using the Vacuum Method (test object under vacuum) and the Sniffer Method (test object is pressurized).

2.Outgassing Measurement Facility

Measurement of outgassing rate by the throughput method.

Maximum sample size: 55 mm × 200 mm × 40 mm.
Minimum measurable outgassing rate: 5 × 10^-12 mbar·l/s/cm².
Bakeout temperature: Up to 200°C.
Additional Feature: Equipped with a Quadrupole Mass Analyser (QMA) for measuring the partial pressure of residual gases.

This system is used to measure the outgassing rate of materials placed inside vacuum chambers to monitor the total outgassing load of in-vessel components.

3.Vacuum Gauge Calibration Facility

Calibration of vacuum gauges by direct comparison with a Spinning Rotor Gauge (SRG).

Range: 1 mbar to 1 × 10^-7 mbar.
Accuracy of SRG:
• 1% of measured value (10^-2 to 10^-7 mbar).
• Up to 10% (1 mbar to 10^-2 mbar).
Calibration gases: Hydrogen, Helium and Nitrogen.
Capacity: Simultaneous calibration of up to 4 gauges.

This system is used for calibrating vacuum gauges employed in the SST-1 Tokamak as well as other experiments at IPR.

4.High Vacuum High Temperature Baking Facility

High-temperature, high-vacuum furnace dedicated to baking graphite tiles up to a maximum temperature of 1000°C. It features a horizontally mounted double-walled water-cooled chamber fabricated from SS-304. Inside the rectangular hot zone, all materials including heating elements and insulation are made of graphite.

The vacuum pumping system consists of a diffusion pump with a pumping speed of 6000 litres/second, capable of evacuating the furnace chamber to 1 × 10^-6 mbar. The setup is equipped with gauges for measuring total and partial pressures.

5.Maintenance Related Activities

Maintenance of vacuum components such as vacuum pumps, gauges, mass spectrometer leak detectors, vacuum valves, etc., is carried out through Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) with the respective service providers under the supervision of a VESD member.

6.Other Facilities

i) Aluminium/Copper Wire Seal Welding Facility
Facility to weld aluminium and copper wires for manufacturing custom-made/non-standard flange wire seals.
• Aluminium wire diameter: 1–6 mm.
• Copper wire diameter: 1–4 mm.

ii) Spot Welding Facility
Used for welding wires and sheets.
Weldable materials: Tungsten, Molybdenum, Stainless Steel and Copper.
Weld capacity:
• Wires: 0.002" (0.05 mm) to 3/16" (4.76 mm).
• Sheets: Up to 0.0006" (0.015 mm).

iii) Temperature Calibration Bath
Facility for calibration of thermocouples and RTDs from ambient temperature up to 600°C.