Upgrade Project Research Articles

DOE awards $231 million for grid upgrade projects

<xhtml:span xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en">As the East Coast recovers from disruption to the electrical grid caused by snowstorms, the Obama administration looks for ways to make the grid more robust.</xhtml:span>

Construction of two large-size four-plane micromegas detectors

We report on the construction and initial performance studies of two micromegas detector quadruplets with an area of 0.3m2. They serve as prototypes for the planned upgrade project of the ATLAS muon system. Their design is based on the resistive-strip technology and thus renders the detectors spark tolerant. Each quadruplet comprises four detection layers with 1024 readout strips and a strip pitch of 415μm. In two out of the four layers the strips are inclined by±1.5° to allow for the measurement of a second coordinate. We present the detector concept and report on the experience gained during the detector construction. In addition an evaluation of the detector performance with cosmic rays and test-beam data is given.

The upgraded LHCb RICH detector: Status and perspectives

The LHCb upgrade will take place during the second long shutdown of the LHC (LS2). The upgrade will enable the experiment to run at an instantaneous luminosity of 2×1033cm−2s−1 and will read out data at a rate of 40MHz into a flexible software-based trigger. The two Ring Imaging Cherenkov detectors (RICH), installed in the LHCb experiment, will be re-designed to comply with these new operating conditions. The status and perspective of the RICH upgrade project will be presented.

Performance Studies of Micromegas Chambers for the New Small Wheel Upgrade Project

The ATLAS collaboration has chosen the Micromegas technology along with the small-strip Thin Gap Chambers for the upgrade of the inner muon station in the high-rapidity region, the so called New Small Wheel upgrade project. It will employ eight layers of Micromegas and eight layers of small-strip Thin Gap Chambers per wheel. The New Small Wheel project requires fully efficient Micromegas chambers, able to cope with the maximum expected rate of 15 kHz/cm 2 featuring single plane spatial resolution better than 100 μm. The Micromegas detectors will cover a total active area of ~ 1200 m 2 and will be operated in a moderate magnetic field (≤ 0.3 T). Moreover, together with their precise tracking capability the New Small Wheel Micromegas chambers will contribute to the ATLAS Level-1 trigger system. Several studies have been performed on small (10 × 10 cm 2 ) and medium (1 × 0.5 m 2 ) size prototypes using medium (1 − 5 GeV/c) and high momentum (120 – 150 GeV/c) hadron beams at CERN. A brief overview of the results obtained is presented.

Revamp and Upgrade Possibilities in Sulphuric Acid Plants

This paper will elaborate on the possibilities and influencing factors for revamp and upgrade projects for sulphuric acid plants and OUTOTECs possible contribution to a successful execution of such projects.Main drivers to execute revamp project will be discussed: e.g. changing environmental requirements, increased demand for acid production, increased demand for energy production as byproduct or changes in production profile. Other aspects might target lower operating costs, better availability or longer operating periods between shutdowns. Finally, worn-out equipment must be replaced and decision must be taken either to go like-for-like or to use the chance to combine the replacement with an upgrade to more developed solutions.The paper will also cover the various aspects and influencing factors, which contribute to the decision making in a revamp project. Such aspects might be budget or schedule restrictions as well as restricted resources for labour and material at site during the execution of the project.OUTOTEC will present its portfolio of possible services covering engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning as well as operating and maintenance support, spare parts business or operator training. Depending on the project setup the split of scope and responsibilities has to be carefully chosen and agreed between the involved parties to obtain the optimum result.The presentation will provide examples of executed revamp and modernization projects of the recent past.

Status and Future Evolution of the ATLAS Offline Software

These proceedings give a summary of the many software upgrade projects undertaken to prepare ATLAS for the challenges of Run-2 of the LHC. Those projects include a significant reduction of the CPU time required for reconstruction of real data with high average pile-up event rates compared to 2012. This is required to meet the challenges of the expected increase in pileup and the higher data taking rate of up to 1 kHz. By far the most ambitious project is the implementation of a completely new analysis model, based on a new ROOT readable reconstruction format, xAOD. The new model also includes a reduction framework based on a train model to centrally produce skimmed data samples and an analysis framework. These proceedings close with a brief overview of future software projects and plans that will lead up to the coming Long Shutdown 2 as the next major ATLAS software upgrade phase.

Broadband impedance calculations and single bunch instabilities estimations of of the HLS-II storage ring**Supported by Natural Science Foundation of China (11175182, 11175180)

The upgrade project of the Hefei Light Source storage ring is under way. In this paper, the broadband impedances of resistive wall and coated ceramic vacuum chamber are calculated using the analytic formula, and the wake fields and impedances of other designed vacuum chambers are simulated by CST code, and then a broadband impedance model is obtained. Using the theoretical formula, longitudinal and transverse single bunch instabilities are discussed. With the carefully-designed vacuum chamber, we find that the thresholds of the beam instabilities are higher than the beam current goal.

Plasma system of the GOL-3T facility

The plasma system and diagnostics of the new facility GOL-3T are described. This facility is the final result of the first stage in the deep upgrade of the GOL-3 multiple-mirror system, which has operated at the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics since 1988. The upgrade project supposes creation of two new independent facilities at the site of GOL-3. The GOL-3T facility is intended to study the physics of beam—plasma interaction and generation of subterahertz electromagnetic radiation during the collective relaxation of a high-power relativistic electron beam with a duration of 5–10 μs. Studies on the physics of multiple-mirror plasma confinement in axisymmetric magnetic systems will be continued in a new range of experiment parameters at the second facility, named GOL-NB.

The upgrade of the ATLAS first-level calorimeter trigger

The first-level calorimeter trigger (L1Calo) had operated successfully through the first data taking phase of the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Towards forthcoming LHC runs, a series of upgrades is planned for L1Calo to face new challenges posed by the upcoming increases of the beam energy and the luminosity. This paper reviews the ATLAS L1Calo trigger upgrade project that introduces new architectures for the liquid-argon calorimeter trigger readout and the L1Calo trigger processing system.

Testbeam studies of pre-prototype silicon strip sensors for the LHCb UT upgrade project

The LHCb experiment is preparing for a major upgrade in 2018–2019. One of the key components in the upgrade is a new silicon tracker situated upstream of the analysis magnet of the experiment. The Upstream Tracker (UT) will consist of four planes of silicon strip detectors, with each plane covering an area of about 2m2. An important consideration of these detectors is their performance after they have been exposed to a large radiation dose. In this paper we present test beam results of pre-prototype n-in-p and p-in-n sensors that have been irradiated with fluences up to 4.0×1014neq/cm2.

The timing upgrade project of the TOTEM Roman Pots detectors

We describe the upgrade project developed by the TOTEM Collaboration to measure the time of flight (TOF) of the protons in the vertical Roman Pot detectors. The physics program that the upgraded system aims to accomplish will be addressed. Simulation studies allowed us to define a geometry of the sensor such that the detection inefficiency due to the pile-up of the particles in the same electrode is low even with a small amount of read-out channels. The measurement of the protons TOF with ~ 50ps time resolution requires the development of several challenging technological solutions. The arrival time of the protons will be measured by scCVD diamond detectors, for which a dedicated fast and low-noise electronics for the signal amplification has been designed. Indeed, while diamond sensors have the advantage of higher radiation hardness, lower noise and faster signal than silicon sensors, the amount of charge released in the medium is lower. The sampling of the waveform is performed at a rate up to 10GS/s with the SAMPIC chip. The sampled waveforms are then analysed offline where optimal algorithms can be implemented to reduce the time walk effects. The clock distribution system, based on the Universal Picosecond Timing System developed at GSI, is optimized in order to have a negligible uncertainty on the TOF measurement. Finally an overview of the control system which will interface the timing detectors to the experiment DAQ is given.

Delay and queue lengths at stop/go control during half-width construction

It is common practice in South Africa that road reseal projects, road reconstruction projects or road upgrade projects on two-lane, two-way roads are constructed in half-widths, resulting in a situation where traffic on the remaining roadway is reduced to one-way operation. There is currently no method for determining a suitable length of work zone for half-width construction based on traffic volumes, and also no method for determining waiting time for the vehicle in the front of the stationary queue at the STOP/GO control, and of the back-of-queue position at such a work zone. An Excel-based calculation sheet for determining the back-of-queue position and the maximum waiting time, was developed. This was used to develop design tables, graphs and equations that can be used by designers and contractors to estimate the back-of-queue position and maximum waiting time. Based on the conclusions of this paper and the fact that this project was largely based on literature studies of traffic conditions not related to work zones for half-width construction, the main recommendation of the study is that all the input parameters which were investigated need to be verified and calibrated specifically for work zones for half-width construction.

LFV: mu-e gamma experiment

The MEG experiment, which searches for a lepton flavor violating muon decay, μ+→e+γ, to explore new physics like supersymmetric grand unified theory, started physics run in 2008 at Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland, and was completed last year. Its innovative detector system enables orders of magnitude better sensitivity than previous experiments. We set a new 90% C.L. upper limit of 5.7×10−13 on the branching ratio of the μ+→e+γ decay using physics data collected between 2009 and 2011, which is the most stringent limit on the existence of this decay to date. The analysis for 2012–2013 data is in progress, and the final results based on 2009–2013 will be published soon. Since the sensitivity improvement was limited by the accidental background, we have considered the MEG upgrade project (MEG II) which aims at a sensitivity enhancement of one order of magnitude compared with the current MEG experiment. The latest result of the MEG experiment as well as the upgrade plan of the MEG II experiment is described here.

Reliability Appraisal and Calculation Analysis of the Structure of a Heavy Industrial Plant

In this article, according to the reliability appraisal of the structure of a heavy industrial plant which is near service limit years, we found several major safety hazard issues and proposed corrective measures to reinforce. On the basis of structural calculation and analysis, we could determine whether to upgrade the crane and propose the corresponding feasibility upgrade project, which can provide the basis for other similar identification.

Study on the Characteristics of a Silicon Pixel Chip for the ALICE-ITS Upgrade Project

Study on the Characteristics of a Silicon Pixel Chip for the ALICE-ITS Upgrade Project

Structural Analysis of Thermal Shields During a Quench of a Torus Magnet for the 12 GeV Upgrade

A toroidal magnet system consisting of six superconducting coils is being built for the Jefferson Lab 12- GeV accelerator upgrade project. This paper details the analysis of eddy current effects during a quench event on the aluminum thermal shield. The shield has been analyzed for mechanical stresses induced as a result of a coil quench as well as a fast discharge of the complete magnet system. The shield has been designed to reduce the eddy current effects and result in stresses within allowable limits.

FMEA on the Superconducting Torus for the Jefferson Lab 12 GeV Accelerator Upgrade

As part of the Jefferson Lab 12 GeV accelerator upgrade project, Hall B requires two conduction cooled superconducting magnets. One is a magnet system consisting of six superconducting trapezoidal racetrack-type coils assembled in a toroidal configuration and the second is an actively shielded solenoidal magnet system consisting of five coils. Both magnets are to be wound with Superconducting Super Collider-36 NbTi strand Rutherford cable soldered into a copper channel. This paper describes This paper describes a failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) that was done on these magnets to identify their various failure modes, which were assessed in terms of their Risk Priority Numbers (RPN). Mitigating actions were identified that would reduce the RPNs to acceptable values.

Nb3Sn High Field Magnets for the High Luminosity LHC Upgrade Project

The high luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN requires a new generation of high field superconducting magnets. High field large aperture quadrupoles (MQXF) are needed for the low-beta triplets close to the ATLAS and CMS detectors, and high field two-in-one dipoles (11-T dipoles) are needed to make room for additional collimation. The MQXF quadrupoles, with a field gradient of 140 T/m in 150 mm aperture, have a peak coil field of 12.1 T at nominal current. The 11-T dipoles, with an aperture of 60 mm, have a peak coil field of 11.6 T at nominal current. Both magnets require Nb 3 Sn conductor and are the first applications of this superconductor to actual accelerator magnets. Collaboration between the US LARP (LHC Accelerator Research Program) and CERN is developing the MQXF magnets, whereas the 11-T dipole magnets are being developed by CERN and Fermilab. This paper reviews the status of Nb 3 Sn technology for accelerator magnets, discusses its main challenges, and discusses how the MQXF and 11-T designs are addressing them.

Liquid Nitrogen Tests of a Torus Coil for the Jefferson Lab 12-GeV Accelerator Upgrade

A magnet system consisting of six superconducting trapezoidal racetrack-type coils is being built for the Jefferson Lab 12-GeV accelerator upgrade project. The magnet coils are wound with Superconducting Super Collider-36 NbTi strand Rutherford cable soldered into a copper channel. Each superconducting toroidal coil is force cooled by liquid helium, which circulates in a tube that is in good thermal contact with the inside of the coil. Thin copper sheets are soldered to the helium cooling tube and enclose the superconducting coil, providing cooling to the rest of the coil pack. As part of a rigorous risk mitigation exercise, each of the six coils is cooled with liquid nitrogen (LN2) to 80 K to validate predicted thermal stresses, verify the robustness and integrity of electrical insulation, and evaluate the efficacy of the employed conduction cooling method. This paper describes the test setup, the tests performed, and the findings.

Urban infrastructure mines: on the economic and environmental motives of cable recovery from subsurface power grids

Subsurface power grids constitute one of the largest copper stocks in many industrialized cities. Over time, parts and zones of these systems have been continuously disconnected and abandoned, resulting in the emergence of urban infrastructure ores. This study aims to assess how current conditions and practices influence economic and environmental motives of cable recovery from such power grids. By applying an infrastructure manager's perspective and evaluating 16 scenarios involving different extraction technologies and procedures, surface materials, urban locations and types of cables, we identify key areas where solutions or changes to increase incentives for cable recovery are needed.The assessed scenarios display significantly different cable extraction costs, where excavation in city centers with asphalt or cobblestone pavements generates the highest costs while greenbelts offer the best conditions. In most cases, cable revenues are not even close to outweighing the extraction costs. This is especially true for paper-coated cables or cables with aluminum conductors, for which the revenues are much lower than for plastic-insulated copper cables. Although economic conditions could be improved by integrating cable recovery to regular system upgrade projects or by applying non-digging technologies, clear incentives rely on the cable in question being especially valuable. Most of the cable recovery scenarios display environmental motives in terms of net savings in GHG emissions due to metal recycling. In contrast to the economic results, recycling of aluminum power cables is here more awarding than that of corresponding copper cables.We conclude that under current conditions urban mining does not make economic sense to infrastructure managers unless it is integrated as an added value to system upgrade projects. Apart from such re-arrangements in infrastructure provision, several other practice-related changes to cut cable extraction costs are possibly within reach for the managers. Still, an economically motivated practice relies on several external performance drivers such as market diffusion of non-digging technologies, improved cable recycling processes, and increased scrap metal prices. Our conclusion that the arguments for urban mining are currently more environmental than financial, points towards changed perspectives where such activities are seen as a way for infrastructure managers to contribute to societal goals such as climate change mitigation and reduced mineral resource dependence.