Computer code for simulation of thermal processes during quench in superconducting magnets windings

Abstract

A model of 3-D thermal process of a normal zone propagation during quench in solenoidal superconducting coils with epoxy-impregnated windings is suggested. A mathematical formulation reduces the 3-D problem to a 1-D non-linear non-stationary differential - integral-difference heat balance equation describing, strictly, in each section of winding, the interdependent non-stationary processes of heat propagation along helix-shaped wire and of turn-to-turn heat transfer across inter-turn insulation. A natural 1-D coordinate system along the helical wire is used. A finite-difference scheme of numerical solution of the equation is realized in special computer code. A fast algorithm of a formation of a mobile adaptive computational grid of the coordinate axis enables to apply the code for quench simulation in large magnet systems. A strong influence of the helical structure of winding layers on the normal zone propagation picture is demonstrated.