The development of poly(vinyl chloride) [PVC] extrusions for a 14,000-ton self-supporting structure for the detection of neutrinos

Journal Article · Tue Dec 16 04:00:00 UTC 2014 · Journal of Vinyl & Additive Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/vnl.21447 · OSTI ID:1336435

Grudzinski, James J. ^[1]; Talaga, Richard L. ^[1]; Pla-Dalmau, Anna ^[2]; Fagan, James E. ^[2]; Grozis, Charles ^[3]; Kephart, Karen  ^[2]; Fischer, Richard ^[1]

---

1. Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Downers Grove, IL (United States)
2. Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
3. Fermi National Accelerator Lab. (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States); Extrutech Plastics, Inc., Manitowoc, WI (United States)

The NOvA Neutrino Experiment has built a one of a kind self-supporting plastic structure, potentially the largest ever built. The PVC structure serves as a neutrino detector and is composed of 28 individual blocks that measure 15.5 m (51 feet) high by 15.5 m (51 feet) wide by 2.1 m (7 feet) deep. The primary parts in the detector construction are 15.5m (51 foot), 15-cell PVC extrusions. These extrusions from the basis of the detector modules which are laminated together in a crossed pattern to form the individual blocks and then filled with mineral oil based liquid scintillator. The self-supporting nature of the detector places important structural requirements on both the PVC formulation and the extrusions. Block assembly requirements impose narrow geometric tolerances. Due to the method of detecting neutrinos, the extrusions must possess exceptionally high reflectivity over a particular wavelength range. The requirement places additional restrictions on the components of the PVC formulation. Altogether, the PVC extrusions have to maintain important reflectivity characteristics, provide structural support to the detector, and meet relatively tight geometric requirements for assembly. In order to meet these constraints, a custom PVC formulation had to be created and extruded. Here, we describe the purpose and requirements of the NOvA detector leading to the production of our unique PVC extrusion, summarize the R&D process, and discuss the lessons learned.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States); Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL), Batavia, IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP) (SC-25)
• Contributing Organization: NOvA
• Grant/Contract Number: AC02-07CH11359; AC02-06CH11357
• OSTI ID: 1336435
• Report Number(s): FERMILAB-PUB--14-391-PPD; 1321311
• Journal Information: Journal of Vinyl & Additive Technology, Journal Name: Journal of Vinyl & Additive Technology Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 22; ISSN 1083-5601
• Publisher: Wiley - Society of Plastics EngineersCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English