Division of accelerators, cryogenics and magnetism

Technical means

• Power supply: 20 V, 1200 A,
• Acid flow rate: 40 l / min,
• 300 l acid tank,
• Pipe and pumps made of PFA material, teflon coating of the acid tank,
• Cavities are handled by a crane with specific tooling for each cavity. The station is also equipped with a table for horizontally inserting the cathodes,
• Use of rotating cathode for uniform material removal,
• External cooling of the cavity with water sprays,
• Online measurement of the cavity thickness during treatment.

Electropolishing cycles are automated.

The station is located in a Non-Explosive Atmosphere Area. Measures are taken to limit the various sources of risk:

• Hydrogen detection via 2 detectors with automated shut-off of the generator and ventilation of the treatment booth which ensures a low concentration of process gases in the event of a leak,
• Control of the acid temperature (via an 18 kW power cooling unit connected to a heat exchanger: 156 m PFA pipe) to minimize the risks associated with exothermic reactions (the working temperature is below 20 °).

Additional facilities: acid storage room, gas extractor-washer which ensures the ventilation of workstations, acid liquid waste collection and treatment system, pure and ultrapure water treatment plant (resistivity : 17.7-17.9 MΩ.cm).