1. Hydrogen system R&D

2. R&D programme – general points Hydrogen absorber system incorporates 2 novel aspects Hydrogen storage using a hydride bed Hydrogen absorber with cooling from a cryocooler R&D programme is an important element to reduce both technical and financial risk and to develop the safety case Aim is to develop an integrated programme for the absorber and hydrogen system involving international groups within the MICE collaboration – two strings Hydrogen system R&D - to be done at RAL – located in the MICE Hall – essential to development of expertise and safety approval Absorber R&D – to be done within the Collaboration Aim for the two elements finally to be brought together at RAL

3. Hydrogen System Baseline layout Pressure gauge Non-return valve - PP VP Vacuum pump Bursting disk Pressure relief valve Valve Pressure Coolant Out In Metal Hydride storage unit (20m 3 capacity) Purge valve 0.5 bar 0.9 bar H 2 Detector P P VP1 VP2 Purge valve Chiller/He ater Unit 1 bar P P 0.5 bar 0.9 bar Helium supply Hydrogen supply High level vent Buffer vessel Vent outside flame arrester Extract hood H 2 Detector P P Nitrogen supply P P P P 1 m 3 Hydrogen zone 2 Vent manifold P1 PV1 PV7 PV8 PV2 PV3 PV4 HV1 Fill valve Tbed HV2 HV3 P3 P P2 PV6 High level vent Non return valve 0.1 bar - PP VP Vacuum pump Bursting disk Pressure relief valve Valve Pressure regulator Coolant Out In Absorber window Metal Hydride storage unit (20m 3 capacity) Purge valve 0.5 bar 0.9 bar H 2 DetectorH 2 P P VP1 VP2 Purge valve Chiller/He ater Unit 1 bar P P 0.5 bar 0.9 bar Helium supply Hydrogen supply High level vent Buffer vessel Vent outside flame arrester Extract hood H 2 DetectorH 2 P P Nitrogen supply P P P P 1 m 3 Hydrogen zone 2 Vent manifold P1 PV1 PV7 PV8 PV2 PV3 PV4 HV1 Fill valve Tbed HV2 HV3 P3 P P2 PV6 High level vent Non return valve 0.1 bar Safety window

4. Hydrogen System Development – Scope (1) To construct a prototype hydrogen handling system at RAL which will become the first full system of MICE This will consist of 2 main parts The external system – which will be in the final form to deliver H2 to the absorber and store the H2 in the hydride beds The safety system to vent H2 in failure modes- to include relief valves and buffer volume The dummy absorber The absorber will be simulated by a simple cryostat with a containment vessel to contain 20litres H2 – operated from a condensing pot with a cryocooler

5. Hydrogen System Development – Scope (2) The development programme will address the following issues: Confirm the working parameters of a hydride bed in the regimes of storage, absorption and desorption of hydrogen ? Purity of hydrogen and effects of impurities. Hydride bed heating/ cooling power requirements. Instrumentation and control required for the operation of the system Safety aspects including - safety relief valves, sensors and interlocks and safety documentation The R&D programme will enable the final design for the MICE hydrogen system to be confirmed and the HAZOP to be completed.

6. Hydrogen System R&D WP(1) Initial Design H2 handling system Confirmation of components on H2 circuit diagram pipe sizes, mass flows, pressure drops, relief valve specifications, venting, manifolding Vacuum and purging systems layouts in hall H2 zones Basic specifications for purchased items

7. Hydrogen System R&D WP(1) Initial Design Dummy absorber Cryostat design H2 containment vessel, condensing pot, internal pipework components Pre - cooling – heat exchanger etc Heater for load simulation and H2 boil off Instrumentation Data acquisition Outline definition of test programme and proposals for fault condition simulation

8. Hydrogen System R&D WP(1) Conclusion of WP(1) Update cost estimates for main components Internal Engineering and Safety Review Aim will be confirm the scope of the R&D programme and release the stage of WP2 – detailed design and procurement

9. Hydrogen System R&D WP(2) Detailed design- Procurement – Installation Detailed design of manufactured components – cryostat + dummy absorber, buffer volume Specification of commercial items – hydride beds, relief valves, vacuum systems Definition of installation procedure and specification of infrastructure such as manifolds for installation Procurement of components Preparation of operation and test procedures Preparation of safety case

10. Hydrogen System R&D WP(2) Conclusion of WP(2) Update of Engineering and Safety Review Aim to include additional aspects based on More detailed procedures for operation and test HAZOP

11. Hydrogen System R&D WP(3) Installation and commissioning Installation of system components Subsystem test and commissioning Proof of gas handling with He Leak testing Check instrumentation and overpressure valve operation Check precooling and cryocooler operation Review and permission to operate with H2

12. Hydrogen System R&D WP(4) Test Programme Purging sequence H2 transfer into hydride bed Local operation of hydride bed Initial transfer of H2 into dummy absorber Dummy absorber cooldown, fill and warmup H2 filling /emptying H2 return to hydride bed System control Fault scenarios Vacuum failure test of venting

13. Hydrogen System R&D Schedule Outline Schedule WP1 Initial design Jan – May 05 WP2 Detailed design and procurement June – Dec 05 WP3 Installation and commissioning Jan – April 06 WP4 Test Programme June – Oct 06

14. Absorber R&D

15. Absorber R&D - scope Scope Modelling and operation of a dummy absorber from a cryocooler system Simulation of final system thermal and operational conditions Proof of principle for absorber supports and shielding Specific demonstration of operation at helium temperatures with liquid helium using a cryocooler – establish margins The aim will be to undertake this programme using the resources of the International Collaboration – the specific UK role in this is still to be defined – funds identified to ensure the programme is viable

16. Absorber R&D MICE Absorber R&D module concept