Conceptual design of a forced-flow-cooled 20-kA current lead using Ag-alloy-sheathed Bi-2223 high-temperature superconductors

Technical Report · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/27058· OSTI ID:27058

Heller, R ^[1]; Hull, J R ^[2]

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1. Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH (Germany). Inst. fuer Technische Physik
2. Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)

The use of high-temperature superconductors in current leads to reduce refrigeration power has been investigated by many groups in the past. Most used YBCO and Bi-2212 bulk superconductors, although their critical current density is not very high. In this paper, BI-2223 HTSC tapes sheathed with Ag alloys are used in the design of a 20-kA current lead because of their higher critical current in medium magnetic fields. The lead current of 20 kA is related to the coil current of the planned stellarator WENDELSTEIN 7-X. Forced-now helium cooling has been used in the design, allowing position-independent and well-controlled operation. The design characteristics of the lead are presented and 4-K helium cooling of the whole lead, as well as 60-K helium cooling of the copper part of the lead, is discussed. The power consumption at zero current, and the lead`s behaviour in case of loss of coolant flow, are given, The results of the design allow extrapolation to current leads of the 50-kA range.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH (Germany)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 27058
• Report Number(s): ANL--94/36; KFK--5404; ON: DE95008299
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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