Engineering Solutions for Safe Processing of Beryllium at CERN

About

The CERN Beryllium Facility is a specialized infrastructure dedicated to the machining, chemical and heat treatment, welding, inspection, testing, and qualification of beryllium components for high-energy physics applications, particularly components exposed to high radiation and operating in ultra-high vacuum environments, such as those found in particle accelerators. The facility is engineered to address beryllium dust and chemical hazards at their source, while meeting strict cleanliness requirements.

The facility incorporates key engineering parameters, including controlled-atmosphere enclosures to prevent particulate dispersion and high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems that maintain negative pressure gradients for safe operation. Environmental controls regulate temperature and humidity to ensure dimensional accuracy and contamination control. Dedicated ventilation systems provide multiple air changes per hour, with continuous airborne particle monitoring to ensure concentrations remain below occupational exposure limits.

The presentation will focus on the engineering solutions developed and the challenges encountered during implementation.

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