From: Joseph Webster (J.Webster@centenary.usyd.edu.AU)
Date: Wed May 13 1998 - 20:48:35 EST
Re: Maris Handley's laser cooling question, and some of the points raised by previous replies: We set up the new lab about 4 years ago with two sorters, total of three 5W argon lasers and a dye laser. We have a single Laserpure 60 unit serving all the lasers, with the building chilled water supply for cooling. This setup works well, even when all three argon lasers are running at high power. The Laserpure 60 has an internal temperature regulator which has been sufficient to eliminate condensation except in the most extreme conditions; I do adjust it slightly between summer and winter. I don't know if the smaller units have the same control. NOTE: One "extreme" condition is when the lasers are all off, and the water cooling system is left running over the weekend! That can result in serious condensation. After running this system for a few years, there are a couple of things I would change in the design: The only problem we have had is with the chilled water supply, so I STRONGLY suggest some interlock or warning so that the lasers are turned off before the system can overheat. The Laserpure does not care what temperature or flow is coming from the building supply, and gives no warning until the laser water it well over 30 degrees C. It will happily continue pumping hot water to the lasers if you don't act. I would also include some automated switching system to start and turn off the cooling setup. At least simple buttons, press on to start, press off when the last laser is turned off and have a timer shut the cooler down 10 minutes later. More complex, but more fool-proof would be to have it start automatically when any laser is turned on, and have it turn off automatically 10 minutes after the last laser is shut down. The on/off switch should also control a solenoid valve on the chilled water line! That's enough for now! Cheers, Joseph. -- Joseph Webster Flow Cytometry Facility Centenary Institute
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