The OPAL Reactor returned to service today following a routine maintenance shutdown.
Despite the best efforts of the OPAL engineering and operations team they were unable to bring the cold neutron source back into reliable service.
The work undertaken included replacement of a number of critical conventional engineering components, and an engineering modification, carried out in agreement with the principal supplier of the system, which was designed to prevent the types of failures encountered on previous occasions.
At this point in time, it is unclear when we might expect to have a return to cold-neutron service at OPAL.
As a result, we will be unable to award any new beam time on our QUOKKA small-angle neutron scattering and PLATYPUS reflectometry instruments, in response the recent proposal round that closed on 15th March 2012.
We are trying to secure beam time at other neutron sources to cover existing commitments on these instruments, and it remains an option for all of our users to apply to other overseas neutron facilities. The deadlines for overseas facilities are listed on our website.
We apologise profusely for this disruption to user service on QUOKKA and PLATYPUS and will notify our users once there is further information on the subject.
Published: 19/06/2012