The Role of Quench-Back in the Passive Quench Protection of Long Solenoids With Coil Sub-Division

Abstract

This paper describes how a passive quench protection system can be applied to long superconducting solenoid magnets. When a solenoid coil is long compared to its thickness, the magnet quench process will be dominated by the time needed for quench propagation along the magnet length. Quench-back will permit a long magnet to quench more rapidly in a passive way. Quench-back from a conductive (low resistivity) mandrel is essential for spreading the quench along the length of a magnet. The mandrel must be inductively coupled to the magnet circuit that is being quenched. Current induced in the mandrel by di/dt in the magnet produces heat in the mandrel, which in turn causes the superconducting coil wound on the mandrel to quench. Sub-division is often employed to reduce the voltages to ground within the coil. This paper explores when it is possible for quench-back to be employed for passive quench protection. The role of sub-division of the coil is discussed for long magnets.