[BNC-all] Update on UPW Upgrade

[Reger, Ronald K]

Dear Birck Users,

As you know we needed an extended shutdown this Spring to do a major upgrade to our UlraPure Water system as part of the Birck Modernization project.  This upgrade will generate more UPW capacity needed for our 8" wafer processing and consists of disconnecting and removing two subsets of the old UPW system and replacing them with new 'skids' that give us the higher capacity.  With this upgrade comes lots of new plumbing connections using the special UPW PVDF piping, new electrical power, new resin, and new system controls.

This major project is on schedule as the new skids have been installed and plumbed.  The 480V 3-phase power has been installed & connected, and the control wiring is being routed/upgraded now.  Next week we will be installing new resin into the system which takes a fork truck and 4 - 5 days to do, as the process involves using ultrapure water to push out the old resin and install the new.  After this, and after the control wiring is finalized and de-bugged, the system will begin to be brought back up.  This takes time to cleanse the system of any contaminants from the manufacturing process and from the fact that it was opened during the upgrade work.  The initial water will not be UPW grade but over the course of a few days it will continue to improve in quality.  If all goes according to plan we hope to be fully up and running with high-quality UPW by just after the Memorial Day weekend, consistent with our original plan.

Thanks for your patience as we complete this critical upgrade.


Birck Engineering & Facilities
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