An Open-Source Finite Element Quench Simulation Tool for Superconducting Magnets

Abstract

An open-source Finite Element Quench Simulator (FiQuS) is being developed as part of the STEAM framework following CERN's open science policy [1]. The tool is based solely on open-source software and uses Python to generate geometries and meshes with Gmsh, and compute solutions with GetDP. FiQuS scripts have a modular structure in order to accommodate a broad range of geometries and simulation requirements with the main focus on superconducting accelerator magnets. The tool, at its advanced stage, will be capable of 1D, 2D, and 3D geometry generation of superconducting elements such as bus bars, multi-pole, solenoid, and canted-cos-theta (CCT) magnets. It already has the capability for parametrized mesh control and subsequent model generation of 2D multi-pole and 3D CCT magnets. It will be possible to perform either electromagnetic (EM), thermal (TH), or coupled EM-TH simulations for static or transient analysis. The focus is on aspects related to the powering and quench transients, enabling parametric analyses and co-simulations to support comprehensive quench protection studies. In this contribution, we lay the foundation of FiQuS by presenting its structure and three specific capabilities that represent the basis upon which the future modules will be built. These capabilities showcase the integration of FiQuS with software developed at CERN, at other national laboratories, and within the STEAM framework. The first capability is the integration with the STEAM framework, which enables cooperative simulations with the other tools of the framework, the automatization of multi-step studies, and the Single Source Of Truth (SSOT) practice through the centralization of model and material data. The second capability is the integration with the magnet design software ROXIE via a dedicated input files parser, which seamlessly integrates magnet design details around a single input file. Examples of magnetostatic solutions obtained in FiQuS are shown for the 2D cross-section of LHC magnets based on ROXIE input files. The third capability is the integration with the parametric analysis software Dakota developed by Sandia National Laboratories. An example is shown of multi-objective optimization of the model mesh to minimize the error of the computed magnetic field.