Electromagnetic-thermal modeling of high-temperature superconducting coils with homogenized method and different formulations: a benchmark

Abstract

High-temperature superconducting coils are used in various large-scale applications, like rotating machines and high-field magnets. However, modeling these coils is a complicated and time-consuming process, especially due to the non-linearity of the current-voltage characteristics of the superconductors and the complex multiphysics involved. In this work, we used a fast homogenized method to model the coupled electromagnetic and electrothermal properties of racetrack and pancake coils for different applications. For this purpose, various formulations wielding homogenization methods are used and benchmarked with each other, as well as with models considering the detailed structure of the HTS tapes. We observe a very good agreement between different models (homogenized and detailed), and we discuss the pros and cons of the inclusion of insulating layers between the turns in homogenization. This work was performed under the collaboration of the COST action modeling teams and can be used as a review of the state-of-the-art superconductor modeling techniques, and a source for the development and benchmark of future numerical methods.