Balancing science and construction

Scientists seek the quiet of underground spaces to run their highly sensitive experiments. At Sanford Lab, nearly a mile of rock protects them from most of the cosmic rays that bombard the earth?s surface. Additional shielding around the experiments blocks radiation that naturally occurs in the rocks, equipment and people. 

But new construction projects and the Ross Shaft rehabilitation efforts are disturbing the quiet, stirring up dust and other debris, which is carried throughout the underground as air flows down the shafts, said Underground Access Director William McElroy. ?It?s impeding the objectives of some of the experiments. We take that very seriously.? 

One area in particular struggling with the increased activity is the lab where copper is electroformed for the Majorana Demonstrator (MJD) experiment. Filters trap particles as they enter the area; however, the electroforming lab simply was not built to handle the high level of construction currently underway.

When particle counts are too high, activity in the clean room stops, said Cabot-Ann Christofferson, Liaison to Sanford Lab for the Majorana project. ?If it?s too dirty we can?t open the (electroforming) baths and that puts us behind schedule.?

The lab turned to Project Engineer Bryce Pietzyk and Mechanical Engineer Mike Johnson to find a solution. And they did: a whole new filter system designed to match the airflows between the Ross Shaft and the clean room. Together, Sanford Lab?s hazard mitigation and engineering crews, along with Ainsworth-Benning, placed a fan and filter in the drift. Next they designed a structure around it that includes Kennedy panels and a drive-through door. Sealant around the foundation minimizes leakage and forces air through the fan. 

?It?s not always easy,? Pietzyk said. ?But we need to find solutions that work for science so they can meet their goals and we can continue to improve the facility for future experiments.? 

Christofferson said she is pleased with the outcome. ?Now they can do what they need to do on their projects and we can stay on schedule with ours.?

The increased construction activity has also increased demands on cage times, McElroy said. Operations added a 6:30 a.m. cage to accommodate construction crews, lab personnel and scientists. 

?Infrastructure technicians wear two hats: customer service and construction. We strive to be professionals at both,? said McElroy.