Fast and accurate electromagnetic modeling of non-insulated and metal-insulated REBCO magnets

Abstract

REBCO high-temperature superconductors are promising for all-superconducting high-field magnets, including ultra-high field magnets. Non-insulated (NI) and metal-insulated (MI) windings are a good solution for protection against electro-thermal quench. Design and optimization requires numerical modelling of REBCO inserts for high-field magnets. Here, we detail a fast and accurate two-dimensional cross-sectional model for the electromagnetic response of NI and MI coils, which is based on the minimum electro magnetic entropy production. Benchmarking with an A − V formulation method on a double pancake coil shows good agreement. We also analyse a fully superconducting 32 T magnet with a REBCO insert and a low-temperature superconducing outsert. In particular, we analyse the current density, the screening current induced field (SCIF), and the AC loss. We have shown that metal-insulated coils enable transfer of angular current in the radial direction, and hence magnet protection, while keeping the same screening currents and AC loss of insulated coils, even at relatively high ramp rates of 1 A s−1. Surprisingly, soldered coils with low resistance between turns present relatively low AC loss for over-current configuration, which might enable higher generated magnetic fields. The numerical method presented here can be applied to optimize high-field magnets regarding SCIF in MI or NI magnets. It also serves as the basis for future electro-thermal modelling and multi-physics modelling that also includes mechanical properties.