The Proton Power Upgrade Project at the Spallation Neutron Source

Mark Champion, Project Director for the Proton Power Upgrade, Neutron Sciences Directorate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Abstract:
The Proton Power Upgrade project at the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory will increase the proton beam power capability from 1.4 to 2.8 MW. Upon completion in early 2025, 2 MW of beam power will be available for neutron production at the existing first target station (FTS) with the remaining beam power available for the future second target station (STS). The project has installed seven superconducting radiofrequency (RF) cryomodules and supporting RF power systems to increase the beam energy by 30% to 1.3 GeV, and the beam current will be increased by 50%. The injection and extraction region of the accumulator ring have been upgraded, and a new 2 MW mercury target was developed along with supporting equipment for high-flow gas injection to mitigate cavitation and fatigue stress. The first four cryomodules and supporting systems were commissioned in 2022-2023 and supported neutron production at 1.05 GeV, 1.7 MW with high reliability. The first-article 2 MW target was operated successfully for approximately 4400 MW-Hours over two run periods. The long outage was conducted from August 2023 through April 2024 for installation of the remaining technical equipment and construction of the Ring-to-Target Beam Transport tunnel stub that enables connection to the STS without interrupting operation of the FTS. Beam commissioning began in June, and resumption of neutron production for the user program is planned for July 2024.
Biographical Sketch:
Mr. Champion began his career in accelerator technology development and utilization at Fermilab upon completion of his university studies in 1990. At Fermilab he learned about accelerator technology, contributed to superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) technology R&D, and supported accelerator operations and upgrades. He joined the SNS construction project in 2001 and worked on the design, construction and commissioning of the accelerator complex. In 2007, he returned to Fermilab to lead the SRF Department in the execution of International Linear Collider R&D and the establishment of a world-class SRF program. In 2012, he returned to SNS as the group leader for Electrical and RF Systems. He began supporting the PPU project in late 2016, initially as the Level 2 Manager for RF Systems. He transitioned to the PPU Project Manager role in 2017 and became the Project Director in 2024.