Cryogenic system for the MYRRHA superconducting linear accelerator

Nicolas R. Chevalier, Tomas Junquera, Jean Pierre Thermeau, Luis Medeiros-Romão, Dirk Vandeplassche

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    SCK-CEN, the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, is designing MYRRHA, a flexible fast spectrum research reactor (80 MW th ), conceived as an accelerator driven system (ADS), able to operate in sub-critical and critical modes. It contains a continuous-wave (CW) superconducting (SC) proton accelerator of 600 MeV, a spallation target and a multiplying core with MOX fuel, cooled by liquid lead-bismuth (Pb-Bi). From 17 MeV onward, the SC accelerator will consist of 48 β=0.36 spoke-loaded cavities (352 MHz), 34 β=0.47 elliptical cavities (704 MHz) and 60 β=0.65 elliptical cavities (704 MHz). We present an analysis of the thermal loads and of the optimal operating temperature of the cryogenic system. In particular, the low operating frequency of spoke cavities makes their operation in CW mode possible both at 4.2 K or at 2 K. Our analysis outlines the main factors that determine at what temperature the spoke cavities should be operated. We then present different cryogenic fluid distribution schemes, important characteristics (storage, transfer line, etc.) and the main challenges offered by MYRRHA in terms of cryogenics.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationAdvances in Cryogenic Engineering - Transactions of the Cryogenic Engineering Conference - CEC, Volume 59
    EditorsSusan Breon, Jennifer Marquardt, Thomas Peterson, Michael DiPirro, John Pfotenhauer, Jonathan Demko, James Fesmire, Arkadiy Klebaner, Sidney Yuan, Al Zeller, Peter Kittel, Gregory Nellis, Mark Zagarola
    PublisherAIP - American Institute of Physics
    Pages315-322
    Number of pages8
    ISBN (Electronic)9780735412019
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2014
    Event2013 Joint Cryogenic Engineering and International Cryogenic Materials Conferences, CEC/ICMC 2013 - Anchorage
    Duration: 17 Jun 201321 Jun 2013

    Publication series

    NameAIP Conference Proceedings
    Volume1573
    ISSN (Print)0094-243X
    ISSN (Electronic)1551-7616

    Conference

    Conference2013 Joint Cryogenic Engineering and International Cryogenic Materials Conferences, CEC/ICMC 2013
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityAnchorage
    Period2013-06-172013-06-21

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Physics and Astronomy

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