The control and safety system for the JULIC neutron platform target station

For the future high current accelerator-driven neutron source HBS (High Brilliance Neutron Source) at Forschungszentrum Jülich, a prototype for a target station has been developed, which was operated successfully at the JULIC neutron platform and will be relocated to the ARGITU accelerator at ESS Bilbao, in future. A major safety-related feature of the target station is the automatic motorized opening of the shielding gate, which potentially could expose humans to radiation or crushing risks. Based on a risk assessment according to EN ISO 12100, a safety system hast been designed that fulfills the requirements of the European machinery directive, which is necessary for CE marking. The safety system relies on safety edges, enabling switches, emergency stop switches and an interface to the personal safety system of the accelerator. The functional safety achieving PL d according to EN ISO 13849 has been implemented with a Siemens S7-1500 safety PLC, which is integrated into an overall control system based on TANGO and NICOS.