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Helium release rates and ODH calculations from RHIC magnet cooling line failure

Conference ·
OSTI ID:1012265
A catastrophic failure of the magnet cooling lines, similar to the LHC superconducting bus failure incident, could discharge cold helium into the RHIC tunnel and cause an Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH) problem. A SINDA/FLUINT{reg_sign} model, which simulated the 4.5K/4 atm helium flowing through the magnet cooling system distribution lines, then through a line break into the insulating vacuum volumes and discharging via the reliefs into the RHIC tunnel, had been developed. Arc flash energy deposition and heat load from the ambient temperature cryostat surfaces are included in the simulations. Three typical areas: the sextant arc, the Triplet/DX/D0 magnets, and the injection area, had been analyzed. Results, including helium discharge rates, helium inventory loss, and the resulting oxygen concentration in the RHIC tunnel area, are reported. Good agreement had been achieved when comparing the simulation results, a RHIC sector depressurization test measurement, and some simple analytical calculations.
Research Organization:
Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE - Office Of Science
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-98CH10886
OSTI ID:
1012265
Report Number(s):
BNL--94074-2011-CP; KB0202011
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English