Liquid Argon Hybrid Pump Development

Maintaining ultra-pure liquid argon (LAr) and liquid xenon (LXe) is essential for next-generation neutrino and dark matter experiments using time projection chambers (TPCs). Current commercial cryogenic liquid pumps are prohibitively expensive, often oversized, and unsuitable for LXe, which is typically purified in the gas phase despite its much higher volume. We developed and tested a low-cost hybrid liquid-phase pump using a dual-chamber, gas-driven design. The first prototype, built for liquid nitrogen, was characterized by measuring flow rates under varied outlet resistances and drive gas inputs. Our preliminary results confirmed stable operation and informed design refinements. A second-generation pump was then designed with cryo-compatible stainless steel components, HVCR fittings, and a compact 24″×24″ gas panel layout. Fabrication included welding, precision piping, and CAD-based P&IDs to ensure scalability and integration with LArTPC test stands. Once paired with a purifier, this pump will enable efficient liquid-phase recirculation in LAr and potentially LXe detectors, providing a practical and cost-effective alternative to commercial systems for small-scale neutrino and dark matter searches.