Converteam signs its world first contract for Medical Accelerator Technology
Massy, 1st September 2011 – Power Conversion specialist Converteam was recently chosen by EBG MedAustron GmbH, an Austrian government owned corporation, for the pulsed power supply for a particle accelerator dedicated to cancer treatment for the MedAustron medical center. This cancer therapy treatment center, with clinical and non-clinical research, is under construction in Wiener Neustadt County of Lower Austria.
The MedAustron center will comprise an accelerator facility based on a synchrotron (a type of circular accelerator) for the delivery of protons and carbon ions to irradiation stations.
The center will be equipped with two pulsed power systems provided by Converteam. The first system is composed of a 4.5MW Medium Voltage MV7000 power converter, with capacitive energy storage, which will be used to supply the dipole magnets of the main ring. The second system includes a 1.25MW low voltage MV3000 power converter that will supply the 90° bending dipole magnet of the vertical treatment line. Two air-cooled 1.25MVA transformers will also be delivered to supply the power converters. They will provide galvanic isolation from the network and adapt the voltage to the converters’ requirements. Factory acceptance tests and site commissioning will also be part of Converteam’s scope.
The planning and development of the accelerator facilities are performed in collaboration with CERN in Geneva, the world largest particle accelerator laboratory, to which Converteam delivered a year ago the first ever 60MW pulsed static power supply for their Proton Synchrotron accelerator.
“Our contribution to the new power system to extend the life of the CERN accelerator was decisive in the choice of our products for the MedAustron project. Converteam is the right partner to ensure efficient and reliable operation of the future MedAustron center. This first contract in the medical area confirms Converteam's ability to customize its leading power conversion technologies to serve the most demanding industries”, underlines Magid-Michel Saikaly, Energy & Infrastructure Director at Converteam.
“A real partnership between the teams of EBG MedAustron and Converteam was instrumental for the selection of the right technology. We are convinced that the technological know-how of Converteam combined with the expertise of CERN will make this project a real success” says Dr. Michael Benedikt, MedAustron Project Leader from CERN.
The commissioning of the facility is planned to end in September 2013. Once the center is in full operation, it is expected to treat 1,200 patients per year.