After a lengthy seven-year journey, a 63-foot-long rotor, weighing nearly 227 tons, has returned to Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The rotor is a crucial component in a generator that drives powerful magnets essential for a variety of scientific research applications, including stockpile modernization, energy studies, materials science, and condensed matter physics.
Pat Fitch, Deputy Laboratory Director for Science, Technology and Engineering, expressed excitement about the rotor’s return, stating, “This equipment provides record-setting capabilities that are useful across multiple areas of research. Our team and vendor partners have worked tirelessly to make this happen, and we’re proud to see their efforts pay off with the rotor’s return.”
The rotor was manufactured in Japan and completed in Switzerland by General Electric (GE). It was delivered to the Pulsed Field Facility, also known as the MagLab, part of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. Its journey involved transportation via barge, ship, train, and truck, eventually arriving at LANL after completing an intercontinental trek. The new rotor will enhance research capacity and ensure the Pulsed Field Facility remains operational for decades.
Constructed from materials including steel, copper, and brass, the rotor weighs approximately 453,500 pounds. It was transported from the Port of Houston to Los Alamos using a specialized heavy-duty vehicle equipped with multiple prime movers to manage its size and weight. A remote-controlled device was then used to maneuver the rotor into the MagLab facility, where it will be integrated into the generator over the next several months.
Once re-commissioned in 2027, the generator is expected to produce pulsed power of up to 560 megawatts, comparable to the output needed to power half a million homes. This capability will enable the operation of key scientific instruments, including a multi-shot, 100-tesla magnet known for setting records in non-destructive magnetic field generation. Ross McDonald, Director of the Pulsed Field Facility, highlighted the significance of the rotor’s return, stating, “This delivery and installation is an investment in our national security and fundamental science communities for decades to come.”
The generator’s restoration involves not only the installation of the new rotor but also extensive testing and calibration of older components that have been meticulously serviced. This generator, designed for high-performance applications, utilizes the rotor’s kinetic energy to create enormous electrical pulses, which are harnessed for various scientific experiments, especially under extreme conditions.
The original rotor, constructed for a halted nuclear power project, has a storied history, having been repurposed for scientific use at LANL since it was trucked up the Main Hill in 1989. Following a failure, the original rotor was removed in 2019 and deemed irreparable, prompting the manufacturing of its replacement. The new rotor was forged and assembled between Japan and Switzerland before its recent delivery to Los Alamos.
