Sumitomo F-20L User manual

F-20L Helium Compressor
Operating Manual
Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics of America, Inc.
1833 Vultee Street
Allentown, PA 18103-4783
U.S.A.
Revision B: September 2021 280358A

TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
Page
SAFETY………............................................................................................................... 1
SERVICE……................................................................................................................. 5
INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 7
Helium Compressor, Model F-20L ...................................................................... 7
PRINCIPLES of OPERATION ........................................................................................ 9
DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................... 11
Components ..................................................................................................... 11
SPECIFICATIONS ....................................................................................................... 13
F-20L Compressor (low voltage model)............................................................. 13
Electrical Characteristics ................................................................................. 13
Power Consumption ........................................................................................ 13
Compressor Control ........................................................................................ 14
Front Panel Connections ................................................................................... 14
Front Panel Mounted Items ............................................................................... 14
Environmental Requirements ............................................................................ 14
Mounting Position.............................................................................................. 15
Cooling Requirements ..................................................................................... 15
Water Quality Requirements.............................................................................. 15
Helium Gas Pressures ..................................................................................... 16
Refrigerant Quality ........................................................................................... 16
Color Codes ...................................................................................................... 16
Optional Spacing ............................................................................................... 16
Maintenance Intervals ....................................................................................... 16
Noise Level ....................................................................................................... 16
Dimensions ....................................................................................................... 16
Weight .............................................................................................................. 17
General Operating Conditions ........................................................................... 17
Supplier Name and Address.............................................................................. 17
Product End of Life Instructions......................................................................... 17
Regulatory Compliance ..................................................................................... 18
INSTALLATION .......................................................................................................... 21
Introduction ....................................................................................................... 21
Receipt Inspection Instructions.......................................................................... 21
Unpackaging and Product Inspection Instructions ........................................... 22
Compressor Location ....................................................................................... 24
Caster Removal................................................................................................ 24
Electrical Supply Connection – Field Wiring Instructions.................................... 24
Coolant Connections ......................................................................................... 25
Compressor Checkout ..................................................................................... 26
Install the Gas Lines......................................................................................... 27
Install the Cold Head Cable(s).......................................................................... 28
Remote On/Off cable (Optional Accessory) ...................................................... 29
Prestart Check................................................................................................... 29

Table of Contents
ii
Page
OPERATION ............................................................................................................. 31
Starting ............................................................................................................ 31
Stopping .......................................................................................................... 31
Restarting After a Power Failure ...................................................................... 31
MAINTENANCE ......................................................................................................... 33
Adsorber Replacement...................................................................................... 33
Adsorber Removal............................................................................................. 33
Adsorber Installation.......................................................................................... 36
Used Adsorber Venting and Disposal ............................................................... 39
Charging or Venting.......................................................................................... 39
Charging Procedure ......................................................................................... 39
Venting Procedure to Adjust Equalization Pressure.......................................... 40
Gas Cleanup .................................................................................................... 41
Fuse Replacement ........................................................................................... 42
TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................................................................ 43
PARTS ........................................................................................................................ 49
Ordering ............................................................................................................ 49
Adapter Fittings ................................................................................................. 49
Cables .............................................................................................................. 50
ILLUSTRATIONS LIST
Figure 1Compressor Flow Diagram ................................................................ 9
Figure 2 F-20L Compressor, Front View ........................................................ 19
Figure 3 F-20L Compressor, Dimensions ....................................................... 20
Figure 4 Connect Mains Power Supply Cable to Mains
Power Receptacle............................................................................ 25
Figure 5 Connect and Remove the Water Lines ............................................. 26
Figure 6 Attach Identification Label................................................................. 27
Figure 7 Connect Gas Line to Compressor or Cold Head ............................... 28
Figure 8 Compressor Cover Panel Removed................................................. 33
Figure 9Disconnect Self-Sealing Coupling..................................................... 34
Figure 10 Disconnect Adsorber from Base..................................................... 34
Figure 11 Remove Supply Coupling Locknut .................................................. 35
Figure 12 Remove Adsorber.......................................................................... 35
Figure 13 Install Lock Washer on Adsorber .................................................... 36
Figure 14 Install Adsorber.............................................................................. 36
Figure 15 Install Supply Coupling Washer and Lockout .................................. 37
Figure 16 Connect Self-Sealing Coupling ...................................................... 37
Figure 17 Leak Check Aeroquip Couplings..................................................... 38
Figure 18 Fuse Holders on F-20L Front Panel ................................................ 43
Figure 19 F-20L Compressor Wiring Diagram................................................. 49
Figure 20 F-20L Compressor Wiring Schematic.............................................. 50
Figure 21 Adapter Fitting, 8F with Valve ......................................................... 52
AC P/N 280358A

SAFETY
1
GENERAL
SCAI equipment is designed to operate safely when the installation, operation and servicing are
performed in accordance with the instructions in this technical manual. For Service Center
locations, see the Service section of this manual.
SPECIAL NOTICES
Three types of special notices -- WARNINGS, CAUTIONS and NOTES are used in this
technical manual.
WARNINGS call attention to actions or conditions that can result in serious injury or death.
CAUTIONS call attention to actions or conditions that can result in damage to the equipment or
in abnormal performance.
NOTE
NOTES give important, additional information, explanations or recommendations related to the
appropriate topic or procedure.
WARNINGS and CAUTIONS, like other safety instructions, appear within rectangles in the text
where they are applicable. Because of their importance, they are summarized in this Safety
section and in the General Technical Manual, and should be read first.
NOTE
Changes to this manual since the previous issue are identified by parallel
lines (||) in the right margins.

Safety
2
WARNINGS
AVOID ELECTRIC SHOCK. This equipment must only be connected to a supply mains switch
with protective earth. All electrical supply equipment must meet applicable codes and be
installed by qualified personnel.
If this equipment is modified, appropriate inspection and testing must be conducted to ensure
safe use of equipment.
Disconnect the power to the compressor before troubleshooting the electrical components.
All electrical supply equipment must meet applicable codes and be installed by qualified
personnel. Permit only qualified electrical technicians to open electrical enclosures, to perform
electrical checks or to perform tests with the power supply connected and wiring exposed.
Failure to observe this warning can result in serious injury or death.
AVOID INJURY. Never use compressed helium gas from a cylinder without a proper regulator.
Overpressure can cause serious injury if the system equipment ruptures.
During operation, some surfaces under the compressor’s cover become hot. Allow the
compressor to cool for 1/2 hour after shutdown before removing the cover for maintenance.
Always wear eye protection when handling pressurized gas lines and other pressurized
equipment. Never apply heat to a pressurized gas line or other pressurized components.
Disconnect gas lines only when the compressor is stopped. Disconnecting the cold head while
it is cold can create excessively high internal pressure as the gas warms. Material failure and
uncontrolled pressure release can cause serious injury.
Use two wrenches when disconnecting a gas line coupling to avoid loosening the cold head or
compressor coupling. Gas pressure can project the coupling with enough force to cause
serious injury.
The compressor is charged with helium gas. Except when disconnecting the adsorber or the
gas lines, vent both supply and return Aeroquip couplings to atmospheric pressure before
disassembly. Uncontrolled pressure release can cause serious injury.
Always vent a gas-charged component before beginning to disassemble its couplings. Gas
pressure can launch a loose coupling with enough force to cause serious injury.
The adsorber is charged with helium gas. Follow the used adsorber venting procedure for safe
disposal of the used adsorber.
The compressor’s elapsed time meter contains a lithium battery. Do not remove the battery.
Do not recharge, disassemble, mutilate, wet or dispose of the meter in fire. Contact local
environmental authorities for proper disposal of the lithium battery.

Safety
3
CAUTIONS
PRESERVE YOUR WARRANTY. Modification to equipment without the consent of the
manufacturer will void the warranty.
Specifications require the use of 99.995% pure helium gas. Using a lesser quality of helium can
damage the system and void the warranty.
AVOID GAS LEAKS. Check the condition of the gasket face seal on the male half of each
Aeroquip coupling. Be sure the gasket face seal is in place and the sealing surfaces on both
the male and female halves are clean before connecting. Replace the gasket face seal if it is
damaged or missing.
Keep the gas line couplings aligned when making or breaking a coupling connection. Leaks can
occur due to the weight of the gas line or due to a sharp bend near the connection.
AVOID CONTAMINATION. When checking the compressor for shipping damage, do not
connect the gas lines and the cold head. The components may become contaminated with
compressor oil.
Follow the charging or venting procedures to prevent reversed flow of system gas. Do not
charge through the supply coupling. Do not vent through the return coupling. Reversed flow
can contaminate the system with compressor oil.
Do not attempt to repair a leaking coupling on an adsorber in the field. Consult a Service
Center. Venting the adsorber will introduce contaminants to the system, which cannot be
removed in the field.
PREVENT EQUIPMENT DAMAGE. Damage to gas lines can result from crimping by repeated
bending and repositioning.
Use properly rated commercial equipment for lifting or moving the compressor. Make sure
compressor is held in a balanced and stable position. Follow all applicable safety procedures
for overhead material transport.
Always thoroughly drain coolant from the cooling circuit if compressor is to be shipped or stored.
Never pull a vacuum on the compressor or cold head. The motors will short circuit if started.
For an installation using a water chiller or other circulating cooling system:
Use pure ethylene glycol with water for the coolant antifreeze solution. Do not use commercial
ethylene glycol sold for automotive cooling systems, which usually contains a fine grit material
that can damage the cooling system.
AVOID A MALFUNCTION. Repeatedly charging the system with helium gas rather than
locating and repairing gas leaks can cause a malfunction. Impurities are introduced at an
abnormal rate and can freeze in the cold head.
Do not allow air to get into the helium gas refrigerant of the system. Moisture from the
atmosphere can seriously degrade cold head performance.

Safety
4
AVOID EQUIPMENT FAILURE, CONTAMINATION OR A NUISANCE SHUTDOWN. Do not
tip the compressor greater than 5 degrees from horizontal, to avoid flowing oil into unwanted
places.
Use SHIG adsorber P/N F300138A only. Use of non-SHIG spare parts will void the warranty.

SERVICE
5
U.S.A. HEADQUARTERS
Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics of America, Inc.
1833 Vultee Street
Allentown, PA 18103-4783
Sales and Parts
TEL: [phone]
or
[phone]
FAX: [phone]
Service
TEL: [phone]
or
TEL: [phone]
SERVICE CENTERS
Central
U.S.A
Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics of America, Inc.
1500-C Higgins Road
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Europe
Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics of Europe, Ltd.
3 Hamilton Close
Houndmills Industrial Estate
Basingstoke
Hampshire RG21 6YT
United Kingdom
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics of Europe, GmbH
Daimlerweg 5a
D-64293 Darmstadt
Germany
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Asia
Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Service Section
Cryogenics Division
2-1-1 Yato-Cho Nishitokyo-City
Tokyo 188-8585
Japan
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics Korea, Co., Ltd.
3F, 280-3, Saneop-ro
155beon-gil, Gweonseon-Gu
Suwon-Si, Gyeonggi-Do
South Korea
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics Shanghai, Ltd.
Building 15, Lane 333
Zhujian Road, Minhang District
Shanghai 201107
People’s Republic of China
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Sumitomo (SHI) Cryogenics Taiwan Co., Ltd.
4th Floor, No.3
Lane 216, Gongyuan Rd.
Hsinchu City 300
Taiwan ROC
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

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