Long Baseline Neutrino Facility - Liquid Nitrogen Refrigeration System
SUMMARY
Under contract to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the Fermi Research Alliance, LLC (FRA) is leading the Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) Project to enable a world-class program in neutrino physics. Specifically, the LBNF Project (http://lbnf.fnal.gov/) provides the infrastructure for a new high-intensity neutrino beam at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) aimed at large liquid argon-based neutrino detectors to be located nearly a mile underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) in Lead, SD. In close coordination with LBNF, the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) will construct and install the liquid argon neutrino detectors planned for SURF. In support of DUNE, the LBNF Project will construct a Nitrogen System on the surface and deep underground at the 4850-foot level (4850L) at SURF to provide refrigeration for the liquid argon neutrino detectors.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
DUNE (http://www.dunescience.org/) is a leading-edge, international experiment for neutrino science and proton decay studies. Discoveries over the past half-century have put neutrinos, the most abundant matter particles in the universe, in the spotlight for further research into several fundamental questions about the nature of matter and the evolution of the universe. DUNE is expected to achieve transformative discoveries by making definitive determinations of neutrino properties, examining the dynamics of supernovae that produced the heavy elements necessary for life, and probing the possibility of proton decay.
The experiment is supported by LBNF, which will provide the infrastructure necessary to support the massive neutrino detectors located deep underground at SURF in Lead, SD. SURF is the site of the 8,000-foot deep former Homestake Gold mine which was converted into a physics and materials laboratory in the early 2000s. DUNE will employ four (4) neutrino detectors, housed in cryostats requiring nearly 70,000 tons of liquid argon (about 17,400 tons for each cryostat). In order to commission the detectors, liquid argon will be supplied at the surface, vaporized for transport to the experiment a mile underground, and condensed to liquid argon for the filling of the cryostats. During operation of the cryostats, argon boiloff gas from the cryostats will be recondensed back to liquid argon. Enclosure 1 shows the planned Process Flow Diagram (PFD) with only one cryostat for simplicity.
NITROGEN SYSTEM
The Nitrogen System is a closed loop cryogenic refrigeration system (Enclosure 3) and is composed of the following elements:
Liquid Nitrogen Refrigeration System
- Nitrogen Compression - Four gaseous nitrogen compressors (above ground).
- Nitrogen Refrigeration - Four refrigeration units comprised of cold boxes and expanders, each with a capacity of 100 kW (below ground - 4850L).
Liquid Nitrogen Storage - Provides 52,834 gallons (200 cubic meters) of buffer and backup liquid nitrogen storage in pressurized dewars (below ground - 4850L).
Argon Condensers - Evaporation of liquid nitrogen provides the cooling power to liquefy argon gas via heat exchangers (below ground - 4850L).
Interconnecting Piping - Includes high-pressure and low-pressure gaseous nitrogen piping linking the above ground compressors with the below ground nitrogen refrigeration units, the insulated liquid nitrogen distribution headers, and gaseous nitrogen return headers (Enclosure 2).
The nitrogen refrigeration system will provide a total refrigeration capacity of 400 kW, supplied by four (4) units, each with a capacity of 100 kW with turndown capability to 65 kW. The refrigerator system mass flow balance shall be maintained by this turndown capacity, as well as auxiliary operation of electrical heaters.
At this time, the interconnecting piping and Argon Condensers will be provided by FRA and are not a part of this RFP.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
The scope of work is for a Design-Build project that will consist of all items and costs for labor, equipment, transportation, overhead, bonding, safety oversight, quality control oversight and supervision as required for the architectural, engineering, design, fabrication, and mobilization required to procure, install, and commission a Nitrogen System composed of a Liquid Nitrogen Refrigeration System and Liquid Nitrogen Storage tanks at SURF in Lead, SD as described above.
RFP DOCUMENTS
Please e-mail Chris Allen (callen@fnal.gov) or call (630) 840-4829 to obtain a complete copy of this RFP. Interested suppliers will be added to the Fermilab Ebid System.
Chris Allen, Sr. Procurement Administrator, Phone 6308404829, Email callen@fnal.gov
