Diamond Light Source
The forefront of scientific research
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. The facility works like a giant microscope, harnessing the power of electrons to produce a light 10 billion times brighter than the sun which scientists can use to study anything from fossils to jet engines to viruses and vaccines. The bright beams are directed into laboratories known as ‘beamlines’ of which there are approximately 30 located within the synchrotron each individually tailored to suit a specific area of research.
Background to the project
Beamline I15 is a high energy beamline for single-crystal and powder diffraction. Researchers use it for studying materials under extreme conditions, at high-pressures and high-or low-temperatures. Examples include studying the Earth’s core and mantle and planetary interiors, very hard materials, electronic materials and biology in extreme environments.
In order to facilitate an upgrade of the experimental equipment housed within Beamline I15 a number of modifications needed to be undertaken to both the structure of the beamline cabin and the various Mechanical & Electrical services installations which support it.
Scope of the project
T-SQUARED was appointed to undertake the following:
- Modification to cabin walls, doors, windows and roof
- Installation of a raised floor
- Extension of chilled water, raw cooling water and compressed air pipework
- Installation of helium, nitrogen and argon pipework
- Modification to HVAC systems and associated controls
- Installation of cable management and containment systems
- Extension of small power services
- Replacement of lighting installations
- LV cabling
- Modification to beamline access, safety and alarm systems
- EMC and earthing installations
- Fire alarm
Timescales - A key requirement was the need for the works to be carried out during a planned shutdown of the beamline which included the Christmas holiday period. T-SQUARED worked closely with both Diamond Light Source engineers and the beamline users to successfully complete the works on time and within budget.