NMR Facility - Maintenance

Cryogen Refills

Liquid nitrogen fills

Liquid nitrogen is replenished weekly in both magnets (usually Thursday or Friday). The procedure is not particularly dangerous. You can run experiments during the process. However, quality of the data may be compromised.
Bruker nitrogen instructions.

Liquid helium fills

Helium is replenished every 180 days for both magnets. The procedure is inherently dangerous. Please, do not enter the Facility during the helium fill. The fill usually renders spectrometer unstable for a few hours. Do not attempt experiments requiring high field homogeneity during that period.

Bruker helium instructions.

If at any time large quantities of helium (gas or gas plus liquid) begin issuing from a superconductive magnet, a very dangerous event called a magnet quench is occurring. It is imperative that everyone leave the area immediately. Prior to beginning a helium transfer, make sure that the roles of all personnel are clear and anticipate who might need assistance evacuating the NMR Facility. Loss of consciousness and death may result.