Superconducting Magnetic System

P. Karn[1], S. Mishra[1]
[1]Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, India
Published in 2019

Superconducting Magnet system have great application at places which require high magnetic fields, such as the accelerator systems, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Mag Lev systems to name a few. The superconducting state exists at cryogenic temperature and it is defined by its critical surface (also known as J, T, B surface), where J is the current density carried by the superconductor, T being the temperature and B being the applied magnetic flux density.

Deviation (due to any of thermal or mechanical disturbances) from this critical surface of super conductor leads to normal zone propagation. This phenomenon is known as Quench. This process generates huge heat and increases the temperature of superconductor. This heat is enough to destroy the conductor within fraction of seconds. COMSOL Multiphysics® has been used to carry out with Low Temperature Superconductor, NbTi, which offers low critical temperature (9K) in comparison to YBCO (70K). In view of the above phenomena, solenoid arrangement from the NbTi is made and magnetic field study followed by intentionally heat triggered Normal Zone Propagation study, temperature rise, voltage drop across the solenoid and static structural analysis to calculate electromagnetic forces are carried out.