Author: Karol, R.
Paper Title Page
TUP225 Overview of Recent Studies and Modifications Being Made to RHIC to Mitigate the Effects of a Potential Failure to the Helium Distribution System 1241
 
  • J.E. Tuozzolo, D. Bruno, A. Di Lieto, G. Heppner, R. Karol, E.T. Lessard, C.J. Liaw, G.T. McIntyre, C. Mi, J. Reich, J. Sandberg, S.K. Seberg, L. Smart, T.N. Tallerico, R. Than, C. Theisen, R.J. Todd, R. Zapasek
    BNL, Upton, Long Island, New York, USA
  
  Funding: Work supported by Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC02-98CH10886 with the U.S. Department of Energy.
In order to cool the superconducting magnets in RHIC, its helium refrigerator distributes 4.5 K helium throughout the tunnel via a series of distribution and return lines. The worst case for failure would be a release from the magnet distribution line, which operates at 3.5 to 4.5 atmospheres and contains the energized magnet bus. Should the bus insulation system fail or an electrical connection open, there is the potential for releasing up to 70 MJoules of stored energy. Studies were done to determine release rate of the helium and the resultant reduction in O2 concentration in the RHIC tunnel and service buildings. Equipment and components were also reviewed for reliability and the effects of 10 years of operations. Modifications were made to reduce the likelihood of failure and to reduce the amount of helium gas that could be released into tunnels and service buildings while personnel are present. This paper describes the issues reviewed, the steps taken, and remaining work to be done to reduce the hazards.