On the 31st January 2019 (with a 2nd final session on the 12th February), a DFX Conceptual Design Review was held at CERN.
The DFX (Distribution Feed Box) is a key element of the cryogenic powering line for the new magnets of the LHC interaction regions at IP1 and IP5. This powering line, the so-called “Superconducting Link” (SL) will connect the power supplies, placed in the UR new technical galleries, with the magnets installed in the Long Straight Section (LSS) of the LHC Tunnel.
The DFX will provide the cryogenic environment for the superconducting interconnecting splices at the end of the SL (splices between the MgB2 cables of the SL and the NbTi bus bars that will be routed and connected to the magnets). The DFX is also the cryogenic element that generate the cold Helium gas needed to keep at the correct cryogenic temperature the entire Superconducting Link up the UR technical galleries.
Physically, the DFX will be located in the LHC just below the vertical cores that will be bore to connect the new UL technical gallery to the LHC Tunnel. Being that LHC region extremely crowded in equipment, the DFX integration is also a critical aspect to be taken into consideration in the design phase.
The DFX will be an “in-kind” contribution of UK to HL-LHC Project and the design and procurement will be done by Southampton University in tight collaboration with CERN TE-ATS Group.
During the review, some of the limitations of the proposed design were evidenced and CERN and UK teams reacted very promptly, permitting to revise a new updated design proposal at the second review session, about two weeks later. The new design seems functionally sound and solves the open aspects highlighted. An “Advanced Design Review” is planned for the 2nd part of June. If successful, this review will be followed by the start of procurement phase for a DFX prototype (that will be tested in the HL-LHC IT STRING programme) and by the procurement of the series (four DFX units will be needed for HL-LHC, and will be installed during the LS3 shutdown).