Workshop on Safety at Radioactive Ion Beam facilities

Workshop on Radiation Protection Issues related to Radioactive Ion Beam Facilities

Organized by CERN, Geneva - ISOLDE, Ludwig Maximilian University, Munich - MAFF, EURISOL - Target and ion source working group
1st announcement
Organizers
Show of Interest
How to get to CERN
2nd announcement
Conference Secretariat
Registration
Accommodation
Programme
Attendees
Abstract submission
Home

ABSTRACT

Target Operation at the high-power Neutron Spallation Source SINQ-Safety-and Reliability-related Issues

Werner Wagner
Paul-Scherrer-Institute, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland

SINQ is a 1 MW class research spallation neutron source, driven by the PSI proton accelerator system. In terms of beam power, it is, by a large margin, the most powerful spallation neutron source currently in operation worldwide. As a consequence, target load levels prevail in SINQ which are beyond the realm of existing experience. Therefore, extensive effort was undertaken within a target development program addressing a safe and reliable operation and handling.

Having started with a heavy water cooled rod target of Zircaloy-2 at the beginning, SINQ now operates a target consisting of steel clad lead rods. Envisaging the future, both theoretical and experimental work is going on within the project MEGAPIE for the development of a liquid lead-bismuth spallation target. Integrated part of the safety philosophy of SINQ is a double walled safety hull to ensure a reliable enclosure of the materials in the proton beam reaction zone. This hull always is thoroughly investigated after the target is taken out of service. For handling and dismantling of used targets, special devices were developed. An extensive materials irradiation program is under way in order to make dependable lifetime predictions and to provide a basis for materials selections and optimisations for future high-power spallation targets.