New SPS cooling system: "The day after"

During the shutdown from November 2000 until May 2001, major modifications of the cooling system of SPS have been carried out in the frame of the refurbishment and restructuring of the water network on CERN sites (Water Project). Since the new configuration is based on a closed circuit loop, the most important consequence is the increase of the cooling water temperature from 11°C to a reference temperature of 25°C on the primary circuit. After a brief overview of the performance statistics in 2001 of the new cooling system, a preliminary analysis of the impact of the new temperature working point will be given. Special attention will be focused on those aspects that proved to be critical for reliable equipment operation as well as on the observed consequences on reproducibility of machine parameters and finally the capability of the system for future expansions. Recommendations and possible improvements will also be outlined.