Cryo-Ops 2014 6th International Workshop on Cryogenic Operations

From discovering Higgs Bosons at the LHC or providing ultralow temperature environment for the experiments with ISIS neutrons, one of the key technologies that must be employed reliably is CRYOGENICS. A major fraction of the construction and operational budget, particularly for the large scientific experiments is allocated to Cryogenics. Several new large projects like XFEL in Germany, ESS in Sweden, ITER in France, LCLS-II in the US and also the mid-range test facilities like ALICE at Daresbury Laboratory, all of which employ Superconducting technology (SRF cavities and magnets) rely heavily on the reliable operations of the cryogenic systems. Considering the size and complexity of Cryogenics technology such a goal can only be achieved through worldwide co-operation.

Recognising such a need a workshop series called ‘Cryo-Ops’ was introduced in 2004 at J-Lab in the US to provide a forum for engineers, technicians and operators responsible for Cryogenic operations to share their knowledge and experiences and also to discuss future challenges. Held every alternate year Cryo-Ops has now become a successful series and STFC Daresbury Laboratory was honoured to host Cryo-Ops 2014, the 6th International Workshop on Cryogenic Operations. More than 100 delegates from Scientific Laboratories and Industries from 14 countries participated at the event organised by ASTeC at the Cockcroft Institute from November 10-12, 2014. A variety of issues ranging from maintenance, reliability and economics to safety and staff training including some of the future challenges were discussed. It was also for the first time the cryogenics community form RAL, DLS and DL came together at DL and identified a range of areas for collaborations in the field.

While addressing the delegates at the banquet organised to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Cryo-Ops series at the Liverpool Football Club Susan Smith, the head of Daresbury Laboratory and Director of ASTeC, stressed the importance of team work and coordination for successful delivery and execution of scientific projects. Earlier Dana Arenius (from J-Lab), the inaugural chair of the Cryo-Ops series was honoured to cut the 10th anniversary cake at the welcome reception hosted byPeter Ratoff, Director of the Cockcroft Institute.
The participants also took an opportunity to visit various cryogenics related projects at the lab. To conclude the workshop after three days of serious technical discussions the delegates visited Lewis Carroll Centre, the beautiful church that celebrates Daresbury’s famous villager, the creator ofAlice in Wonderland an 1865 novel written by Charles Lutwidge Dogson under the pseudonym ‘Lewis Carroll’.