Thermal-hydraulic analysis of Cable-In-Conduit Superconductor: A CFD approach

Abstract

Abstract Superconducting (SC) magnets with Cable in Conduit Superconductor (CICSC) winding, cooled by helium at 4 K temperature are employed for many applications which require high magnetic field and high current densities. The construction of CICSC aims to maintain superconductivity state by optimization of various parameters, i.e., thermal stability, ratio of normal conductor to superconductor material, mechanical strength, low hydraulic impedance, current density, magnetic field, etc. The cryogenic thermal stability of the CICSC is of prime importance for the safe, stable and reliable operation of SC magnets. The prediction of thermal and hydraulic behaviour of CICSC in large SC magnets is difficult due to the complex geometry, variation of fluid properties, various heat in-flux incidences over the long length of CICSC and a complex heat transport phenomenon. Here we present a CFD approach for the thermal hydraulic analysis of a typical CICSC applying the porous media analogy and discuss the suitability for a wider range of operational scenario at higher Reynolds number and for various geometries.