[DonDavis]

Installing an MRI, we had the magnet ramped and I was getting set up to perform SuperCon Shimming. That process makes the magnetic field Homogeneous which essentially means "make the field more smooth" by manipulating the several coil currents.

I was on top and began inserting the shim lead down into the vessel. I did not realize the vessel pressure had gone just a smidge below atmosphere and it pulled room temp air into the mix.

Heard an ever-so-slight air woosh and then the burst disk popped. Helium does not like being liquid and tries to be gas whenever it can. That exchange rate is roughly 800-1 meaning 1 liter of liquid becomes 800 liters of gas within seconds. I was sitting on about 2,000 liters of liquid.

**side note*** As soon as a magnet is physically put in place, we install the venting which vents to the outside. It's 12" diameter stainless steel the entire path.

The magnet quenched. "Oh s***" and the system began rumbling as the helium exited to outside. I scrambled down and met responders at the door stopping them from rushing in.

That one really sucked, but the convo with management was really great. A crucial step was not performed the day prior. Not my fault.

I still felt crappy, tho.

If that had been billable, it would have topped $100k without blinking.