Following up on the last update on 16 March, ANSTO remains on track with the short-term plan to return cold neutrons to service by the end of July.
In the main, this will be achieved by decreasing the oil injection temperature, optimising the oil flow rate, and the installation of magnetic filters to remove metallic contamination of the oil to the compressors that drive the cryogenic system.
New heat exchangers have been procured and will be installed and commissioned during the next 8 weeks. Other aspects of the CNS Rectification Strategy (outlined on 16 March 2013) remain in place, including the medium-term plan to improve availability and the contingency plan, in the event that the current short-term plan does not work.
ANSTO remains committed to ensuring a reliable cold-neutron-source system that is able to deliver reliable cold neutrons. Again, we appreciate the support from our neutron beam users and stakeholders and thank you for your patience as we resolve this challenge.