CERN Neutrino Cryogenic Control System Technology: From the WA105 Test Facility to the NP04 and NP02 Platforms

The CERN Neutrino Platform is CERN’s undertaking to foster fundamental research in neutrino physics at particle accelerators worldwide. In this contest CERN has constructed a series of cryogenic test facilities, first of this series is the 5 tons liquid Argon detector named WA10⁵, succeeded by the 800 tons liquid Argon cryostats designated as NP04 and NP02 detectors. The cryogenic control system of these experiments was entirely designed and constructed by CERN to operate 365 days a year in a safe way through all the different phases aimed to cool down and fill the cryostat until reaching nominal stable conditions . This paper describes the process control system design methodology, the off line validation and the operational commissioning including fault scenario handling. A systematic usage of advanced informatics tools, such as CERN/CPC tools, Git and Jenkins, used to ensure a smooth and systematic software development of the process, is presented. Finally, particular attention is given to the adoption of the CERN cryogenic technical standard solutions to enhance reliability, safety, and flexibility of the system working 24 hours a day