Abstract
With the large number of superconducting radiofrequency (RF) cryomodules to be tested for the former LEP and the present LHC accelerator a RF test facility was erected early in the 1990’s in the largest cryogenic test facility at CERN located at Point 18. This facility consisted of four vertical test stands for single cavities and originally one and then two horizontal test benches for RF cryomodules operating at 4.5 K in saturated helium. CERN is presently working on the upgrade of its accelerator infrastructure, which requires new superconducting cavities operating below 2 K in saturated superfluid helium. Consequently, the RF test facility has been renewed in order to allow efficient cavity and cryomodule tests in superfluid helium and to improve its thermal performances. The new RF test facility is described and its performances are presented.
Highlights
The 7200 m2 floor-space hall (SM18) at Point 18 was converted to the 1990's in a large cryogenic test area for the tests of the main cryogenic components of the accelerators
The test facility consisted of 6 vertical test stands for single superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) cavities and one horizontal test stand hosted in a bunker for the SRF cryomodules
Since CERN has completed the cryogenic infrastructure of the SM18 with additional test facilities dedicated to the testing of cryogenic equipment for the LHC and its high-field superconducting magnets operating below 1.9 K [2] and in view of a forthcoming LHC upgrade [3]
Summary
The 7200 m2 floor-space hall (SM18) at Point 18 was converted to the 1990's in a large cryogenic test area for the tests of the main cryogenic components of the accelerators. The SRF test facility and its six test stands were connected to the liquid helium (LHe) reservoir and the refrigerator via three independent vacuum insulated transfer lines (Figure 2) : a supply saturated liquid helium line (P=1.6 bar), a cold gaseous helium (GHe) return line (T80 K). Each test stand was connected to each header via 3 single flexible transfer lines each including an in-line control valve The operation of this infrastructure allowed purging of the cryostats, cool-down with saturated liquid helium, filling and refilling of the cryostats with liquid helium and warm-up with electrical heaters or by using the static heat load of the cryomodules. Saturated LHe supply (P ~1.6 bar) GHe return T < 80 K *+H5HWXUQ7!
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