A Machine Protection Risk Management Method for Complex Systems

Abstract

Accelerator-based research facilities play a key role in modern research, where they increasingly push the technical limits. At the same time, they aim at competing with industrial and nuclear research facilities in performance metrics such as availability. This thesis develops a risk management method currently integrated into the design and early commissioning phases of an accelerator-based facility, in order to prevent damage and avoid costly repairs and long downtimes. The method uses the machine protection concept to implement its functionality, as machine protection has proven extremely useful in contemporary accelerators. As opposed to the field of machine safety, the field of machine protection does not have any standardized methods to apply. The many similarities between safety and protection still causes many of the existing standards to be a useful basis in developing a functional protection method. This thesis combines pragmatism and four existing standards into a risk management method for complex systems in general, and particle accelerators in particular. The method is currently applied to the protection of the European Spallation Source.