ESS Accelerator Safety Systems Now Operational

The European Spallation Source (ESS) has successfully completed the verification and validation of two critical safety systems: the Personnel Safety System (PSS) and the Oxygen Deficiency Hazard Detection System (ODHDS). These systems are now operational, ensuring the safe commissioning and operation of the ESS accelerator.

The milestone, led by the Protection Systems Group (PSG) within the Integrated Control System (ICS) division, was essential for commencing key activities such as accelerator cooldown and RF conditioning. The PSS system is designed to protect personnel from hazards including ionizing radiation and high voltage within the accelerator tunnel, while the ODHDS monitors oxygen levels to prevent risks associated with helium depletion in confined spaces.

The installation of these systems spanned several years, integrating 400 systems and subsystems with over 3,000 input/output signals across the 600-meter accelerator and klystron gallery. This included the installation of more than 230 electrical enclosures and approximately 60 km of cables and fiber optics.

Development followed a stringent lifecycle based on the ESS Engineering Management Handbook and the IEC 61511 functional safety standard. Over 8,000 test cases were conducted during six weeks of final integration testing.

ESS is continuing the installation of safety systems in other critical areas, including the Target, bunker, and Experimental Halls, to support upcoming Beam on Target operations. These measures ensure a safe working environment in the tunnel and gallery as the project progresses.