Conceptual design of the beryllium rotating target for the ESS-Bilbao facility

The ESS-Bilbao facility, hosted by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), envisages the operation of a high-current proton accelerator delivering beams with energies up to 50MeV. The time-averaged proton current will be 2.25mA, delivered by 1.5ms proton pulses with a repetition rate of 20Hz. This beam will feed a neutron source based upon the Be (p,n) reaction, which will enable the provision of relevant neutron experimentation capabilities. The neutron source baseline concept consists in a rotating beryllium target cooled by water. The target structure will comprise a rotatable disk made of 6061-T6 aluminium alloy holding 20 beryllium plates. Heat dissipation from the target relies upon a distribution of coolant-flow channels. The practical implementation of such a concept is here described with emphasis put on the beryllium plates thermo-mechanical optimization, the chosen coolant distribution system as well as the mechanical behavior of the assembly. •The conceptual design of ESS-Bilbao neutron production target has been carried out.•This device is a rotating disk holding Be elements cooled by water.•Thermo-mechanical and lifespan behavior of the Be elements have been analyzed.•Disk structure ensures coolability and a proper mechanical behavior of the assembly.