Neutron Shielding Bunker
The west sector walls of the bunker inside Experimental Hall 2 is almost complete and works are progressing on the Monolith footprint and north sector walls. The bunker crane is subject to test lifts and Site Acceptance Test (SAT) with a plan to have it operational by mid-February.
On the south side of the Monolith, inside Experimental Hall 1, dust binding for the bunker area is ongoing, with a plan to start the installation of bunker base plates shortly.
Target area facades & curved roof
Installation of cantilever roof, the ESS 'sombrero', is now ongoing by the east façade of Experimental Hall 2, above the adjacent lab building.
This will be followed by the roof above the east gable of Experimental Hall 1. The last area to be subject to cantilever roof installation is the Accelerator to Target building connecting to the tunnel. This will start in March.
Cladding with aluminium panels is ongoing to the south cantilever roof along Experimental Hall 1.
Installation of steel profiles for the facades is ongoing on the front of Experimental Hall 1 and for the adjacent lab.
Active Cells
Installations, as part of the UK in-kind contribution to ESS via UKAEA (UK Atomic Energy Authority) and their remote handling and robotics centre RACE (Remote Applications in Challenging Environments), are ongoing in the Active Cells, deep inside the Target building. These initial infrastructure installations of electrical containments are the start of the remote handling system installation that will be done in here, also by RACE.
Modulators, providing power in the Klystron Gallery
The first medium beta modulator is in place in the first medium beta cell in the Klystron Gallery. Connection to electricity and water follows. Preparation of the second modulator is now ongoing in Test Stand 3 .
Preparing for NCL commissioning
Preparations for commissioning of the Normal Conducting Linac (NCL) up to the MEBT Faraday Cup is ongoing. This includes live tests of racks and cables, connection to racks, water skids and RF conditioning.
Other important activities to allow for the commissioning of NCL are the installation of tunnel shielding, the stub fire sealing behind the machine along the wall from Ion Source to DTL area, and the activation of a Personnel Safety System in the area.
