Quench analysis of an ITER TF coil

Abstract

The first realistic application of the recently developed 4C code is presented, aimed at showing its capability to simulate in an integrated fashion relevant transients for the superconducting coil operation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), both at the system and at the conductor levels. The quench initiation and propagation in an ITER TF coil is considered, including the coil fast discharge phase until the opening of the relief valves. The 14 coil pancakes cooled by alternating clockwise/counter-clockwise SHe flow, the radial plates and the case, the 96 case cooling channels, and the external cryogenic circuit up to the LHe bath are included in the model. The results of the analysis are discussed with particular reference to quench propagation in the winding, hot spot temperature and peak pressurization, mass flow rate evolution in the different system components. The accuracy of the analysis is guaranteed by suitable convergence studies.