Upgrade of the cryogenic infrastructure of SM18, CERN main test facility for superconducting magnets and RF cavities

Abstract

Abstract. SM18 is CERN main facility for testing superconducting accelerator magnets and superconducting RF cavities. Its cryogenic infrastructure will have to be significantly upgraded in the coming years, starting in 2019, to meet the testing requirements for the LHC High Luminosity project and for the R&D program for superconducting magnets and RF equipment until 2023 and beyond. This article presents the assessment of the cryogenic needs based on the foreseen test program and on past testing experience. The current configuration of the cryogenic infrastructure is presented and several possible upgrade scenarios are discussed. The chosen upgrade configuration is then described and the characteristics of the main newly required cryogenic equipment, in particular a new 35 g/s helium liquefier, are presented. The upgrade implementation strategy and plan to meet the required schedule are then described.

An innovative approach for the design of cryogenic electrical and process control systems at CERN: the cryogenic Continuous Integration project

“…Lastly, figure 1 shows an increase of about 25% in the number of applications supported by CERN cryogenics group in the last 8 years. This is mainly due to several projects such as the test facility for the FAIR magnets [6], Neutrino Platform [7], Cryolab refurbishment [8] and CERN main test benches facility infrastructure upgrade [9]. Such a substantial increase is managed with constant manpower mainly thanks to all the tasks that are automatically handled with continuous integration.…”

Functional analysis and design of the cryogenic system for the HL-LHC IT String test bench at CERN

“…The cold flow can be generated by evaporating part of the liquid helium stored in the 25 000 l dewar, connected to both the helium cryo-plant supplying the IT String and the recently installed 35 g/s cold box supplying the other SM18 cryogenic test benches. The heater installed in the 25 000 l dewar allows the generation of up to 40 g/s of GHe at 4.5 K. More details about the SM18 cryogenic infrastructure can be found in [8].…”