Abnormal operating conditions of the LHC beam dump

by Luca Bruno (CERN)

Thursday 6 Apr 2000, 16:00 → 16:15 Europe/Zurich

SL Auditorium (CERN)

The design study of the LHC main beam dump has been preliminarily substantiated by energy deposition simulations and heat transfer analyses. The present seminar is devoted to the abnormal operating conditions induced by a malfunction of the beam diluters. A general approach to the analysis of off-normal operation is presented, which is derived from standard design norms adopted in the nuclear industry. Attention is focused mainly on the carbon absorber core, which is longitudinally split into segments of different density in order to better distribute the deposited energy. The maximum energy density it absorbs decreases by at least 33% compared to a uniform standard density carbon core. This structure may sustain any partial sweep failure without major damage, up to the ultimate beam intensity and energy. To minimise the risks inherent in a fully unwept beam, a sacrificial graphite mandrel will be placed on the core axis, surrounded by a thick high strength carbon-carbon composite tube. With this arrangement, structural damage will be avoided in the event of total sweep failure, during LHC commissioning and probably up to nominal beam intensity. However, severe damage may still occur at the ultimate beam intensity; in this respect, further analyses of mass-transport phenomena are required. Potential long-term improvements are considered.

Organiser(s): Werner Herr / SL Division

Note: Tea and coffee will be served at 15:30 in front of the Auditorium

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