Accelerator
Normal Conducting Linac - in operation
Conditioning of the RFQ cavities has restarted and the drift tube linac (DTL1) is prepared for start of RF conditioning. In parallel, beam is running from the Ion Source to the MEBT faraday cup.
Spokes section - welding and testing
Welding of header units - the pipe connections - to the valve boxes for the spoke cryogenic distribution system is ongoing.
Following completion of a test cycle in test stand 3, the first radio-frequency (RF) power station in RF cell 120B has been positioned with in-situ tests following. Soak testing continues for the four RF power amplifiers in cell 120A.
Test Stand 2 cryomodule testing
RF power testing with cavities cooled down to 2 Kelvin (-271 degrees Celsius) is reaching completion for the third elliptical cryomodule in line. A short maintenance and update period will follow before the next cryomodule goes inside the bunker for testing.
Target
Proton beam drift room pipe
The first part out of four of the proton beam drift room pipe has been inserted to the narrow space in the Accelerator to Target (A2T) building. The pipe was slided in from the A2T end of the tunnel, connecting it to a clamp in the Monolith connection cell.
Monolith vacuum tests
Vacuum leak tests continue for the Monolith vessel and associated components. The confinement covers 170 m3 in total.
Target Monolith
Deliveries of outer shielding blocks for the Target Monolith continue. In total, there will be 147 big blocks in three layers and 41 smaller filler blocks, with a total weight of approximately 1500 tonnes, placed around the Target Monolith vessel.
The outer shielding blocks will be placed once the installation of 109 shielding wedges between port tubes and a top plate covering the 39 port tubes and NN bar is completed.
Experimental Halls
The first neutron guide for LOKI was previously inserted and grouted into the north bunker wall. The top block has now been put back in place.
Construction of the ODIN and DREAM control cabins continues in Experimental Hall 1.
Completion of the south and east bunker walls is under way.
ESS Technical Workshops
The ESS on-site Technical Workshops host an array of workshops and labs for test, development and maintenance of ESS components.
Here is a snapshot of some of the activities going on in the various spaces for beam diagnostics, cryogenics, detector, ICS, RF, vacuum, Target and more.
CryoModule (CM) workshop
Eight out of 13 spoke cryomodules have arrived to B02 after serial-testing in the Freia lab at Uppsala University. A series of tests, including tool tests, grease removal and vacuum tests, follow in B02.
NBOA helium atmosphere system
A test bed for the helium supply to the neutron beam extraction system is in place in the workshop hall. Pure, pressurised helium will be supplied to the neutron beam optics assembly (NBOA), placed inside Neutron Beam Port Inserts (NBPI).
The system will provide a regulated, non-corrosive atmosphere in the NBOA compartment, and will also enable the transfer of heat.
Target wheel shaft and drive unit
As the target wheel has continued its journey to a factory in Malmö for the coating procedure, the shaft and drive unit have landed in the ESS on-site workshop for mechanical tests to be performed.
LSS frames
In a vertical handling test stand, installation of the Light Shutter System (LSS) frames is in preparation. LSS frames will be installed around the Monolith to provide the interface from the port tubes to the neutron guides. They are to be placed in a 6-metre radius around the Monolith vessel, with the bottom of each frame sitting on basement level of the Monolith.
Mechanical workshop
The ESS mechanical workshop offers a wide range of services for installation works, including manufacturing and 3D printing of non-serial parts and modification of supplied parts.
