The project: The Argonne National Laboratory upgraded its Advanced Photon Source (APS) to include two new beamlines. Already one of the most productive light sources in the world, the APS is essentially a stadium-sized X-ray microscope used by scientists around the world for research in various fields, from chemistry to materials science and geology. The new facility also houses the In Situ Nanoprobe (ISN), an 820-foot beamline designed for in situ imaging (observing samples as their environment changes around them); the High-Energy E-ray Microscope (HEXM), a 590-foot beamline that combines energy with greater focusing ability in order to map the compositions of materials; and an Activated Materials Laboratory for preparing and disposing of activated materials used in the experiments.

The goal: The owner needed to enable the transportation of photons from further distances than ever before. The new 22,000-sf building housing the new beamlines off an existing linear accelerator allows scientists to analyze minuscule structures in real time.

Design approach: IMEG engineers addressed specific design requirements such as VC-E and VC-F vibration control; a radiochemistry laboratory that requires systems to address radioactive waste in the form of retention tanks and HEPA filtration; and using waste heat from an existing process water line to heat the facility. MEP infrastructure was roughed-in and sized for a custom-built hutch to be provided post-construction for the high energy material beamline.

Engineers conducted a program verification phase to confirm all documented systems and functionality were accurate and correctly captured. IMEG participated in meetings with the owner, project management staff, and users to continuously develop and review the design.

Project highlights: The project was designed to comply with High Performing Sustainable Buildings (HPSB) standards with energy savings 39.6% better than ASHRAE 90.1-13, Appendix G. Sustainable features included:

  • Waste heat from the existing process water line as the first stage of heat
  • A water-to-water heat pump as the second stage of heat where the condenser source is a process water loop
  • Building envelope exceeding code minimum requirement
  • Lighting power density of 0.58 watts/SF

The existing APS linear accelerator has a process water line removing magnet heat from the system. The building addition uses this waste heat for full heating needs of the building, significantly reducing heating energy use for the facility.