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<p class="MsoPlainText">Dear TRIUMF Users,</p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Thank you for your continued support as the
TRIUMF team has worked diligently to recover the main cyclotron RF
system. I am happy to announce that beam delivery has been
restored!</p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">I want to update you on the latest status,
share insights from our assessment, as well as provide information
on future steps. </p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Thanks to the TRIUMF team’s extraordinary
efforts, who have safely and swiftly brought us back to "beam on".</p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><b>Timeline to Beam Recovery</b></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">As I mentioned in past correspondence, the
radio frequency (RF) system of TRIUMF's main cyclotron sustained
substantial damage over the August long weekend, resulting in
significant downtime. Specifically, there was a devastating
discharge in the RF transmission line near the main power coupler.
</p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Here's a brief timeline of what happened:</p>
<ul>
<li>August 5 at 4:40 am: RF tripped, with subsequent complications
upon restart and further issues throughout the day</li>
<li>August 6: Vault inspected, revealing multiple components
destroyed or partially damaged (the photos are impressive!)</li>
<li>August 7: System cooled in preparation for recovery.</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoPlainText">As TRIUMF experts studied the damage and
devised a path forward, they were well aware of the impact that
beam delivery has on our users. TRIUMF's RF team worked hard in
difficult conditions with strong support from various groups
across the lab, including Applied Technology Group, Remote
Handling, Operations, Radiation Protection and Beamlines, as well
as the Machine Shop, the Design Office, and more.</p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">With a team formed and a plan approved, our
colleagues took swift action on recovery steps:</p>
<ul>
<li>August 8: Recovery began as drawings were gathered and a Work
Permit opened. Work started on dismantling and removing
components for repair</li>
<li>August 9: Repair initiated in RH machine shop, damaged
components removed, transmission line vertical section opened,
parts located</li>
<li>August 10: Parts repair completed, vertical section insulators
fabricated, vertical section of transmission line cleaned, new
RF pick-ups prepared</li>
<li>August 11: Assembly started, water hooked up, leak repaired in
casting</li>
<li>August 12: Assembly completed, RF signal level checked -
matching, diagnostics</li>
<li>August 13: High-level RF brought up - pulse conditioned - 85kV
cw -> BEAM ON!</li>
<li>August 15: Regular beam delivery was resumed, according to
Schedule 132</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoPlainText">I am sure we all want to express gratitude
to everyone involved for the enormous efforts they put forth in
safely and effectively carrying out this challenging work. Our
colleagues delivered superb work while showing exemplary
leadership.</p>
<p class="MsoPlainText"><b>Next Steps</b></p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Now that beam delivery has been restored, it
is time to review what happened and identify lessons learned: Next
steps include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Preparing a 'root cause' analysis of the incident. At present,
the RF group suspects that a water leak in the capacitor station
earlier in the week may have been a precursor. Also during
re-assembly, a pinhole leak was discovered in the horizontal
section inner conductor that also could provide a clue. </li>
<li>Critically assessing our present set of diagnostics and
interlocks with the aim to avoid major destruction in the future</li>
<li>Revisiting the design and materials of the capacitor station
to seek better reliability </li>
<li>Capturing lessons learned relating to systems, processes, and
approaches as we strive to improve.</li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoPlainText">Once again, thank you for your continued
support, understanding, and patience – and thank you to everyone
involved in the beam recovery. </p>
Regards,<br>
Reiner Kruecken<br>
<br>
<font color="#333333"><i><font size="-1">sent on Dr. Kruecken behalf
by...</font></i></font><br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Andie Lippingwell
Administrative Assistant
Physical Sciences Division
Tel: 604.222.7438
TRIUMF
Accelerating Science for Canada | Un accélérateur de la démarche scientifique canadienne
4004 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 2A3
Canada</pre>
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