Magnetic measurement of transport AC losses in Bi-2223/Ag tapes

Magnetic nature of the losses in superconducting wire carrying AC current implies that it should be possible to determine these losses in a contactless way. Ribbon-like samples are quite favorable for such an experiment, because a notable portion of magnetic flux related to losses ‘escapes' the sample volume and can be detected by an appropriate pick-up coil. In this case, a model describing the AC current penetration into the tape, based, e.g., on the critical state model, allows one to derive the losses from the pick-up coil signal. Because this signal is proportional to the number of coil turns, extension of the accessible range of measured voltages (and losses) can be achieved. We demonstrate the data obtained on a 1 cm long portion of a low-loss multifilamentary tape carrying AC current with frequency 35 Hz. The pick-up coil technique allowed us to reach loss level more than one order below the experimental limit for direct measurements.     

Temperature dependence of transport ac losses in Bi-2223/Ag multifilamentary tapes

Temperature dependence of transport ac losses in two Bi-2223/Ag multifilamentary tapes with different dc current–voltage characteristics was measured using a lock-in technique at power frequencies. At each temperature, different criteria for critical current determination were used. Comparisons of normalised ac losses with predictions of theoretical models for a tape with elliptical cross-section and a thin strip were made. It was found that the form of the current–voltage characteristic and the critical current criterion play an important role in comparison with theoretical data. A new normalisation procedure of ac loss data is proposed.     

The frequency dependence of AC transport losses in stacked Bi—2223／Ag superconducting tapes

AC transport losses in a single superconducting tape, double-and triple-stacked Bi-2223/Ag superconducting tapes were measured by use of electrical method. The measurements were carried out at 77K with the frequency of AC transport currents ranging from 50 to 100Hz. The dependence of AC losses on frequency and the number of tapes in the stack were presented and analysed.     

Decrease of magnetic AC loss in twisted-filament Bi-2223 tapes

In AC power-engineering applications, a large part of the AC loss in the superconductor is due to magnetization by the external field. This magnetic AC loss has been well described for the low-T_c conductors. In Bi-2223 tapes the picture is different due to strong anisotropy, granularity and flux creep. Magnetic AC loss in various twisted and non-twisted Bi-2223 tapes has been measured at power frequencies by a pickup method. The results are compared to theoretical models of magnetization loss. When the field is parallel to the tape plane, the filaments in twisted tapes can be decoupled and the AC loss is decreased even when the matrix is pure silver. The extra effect of higher-resistance matrix materials is studied. In perpendicular field it is more difficult to decouple the filaments, due to the particular tape geometry. Contrary to a wire, there are essential differences between the AC loss mechanisms in a long twisted tape and those in a short piece of non-twisted tape. Finally, the dynamic resistance caused by the AC magnetic field is examined.     

AC transport and magnetic characterisation of multifilamentary Ag-BSCCO(2223) tapes with different filament arrangements

AC losses in multifilamentary tapes depend on various parameters. Among them, geometrical factors such as overall tape width and thickness as well as the precise arrangement of the filaments are expected to have an important influence. Several theoretical models describe this dependency. In order to study these geometrical effects experimentally, we prepared a series of Bi(2223)/Ag tapes with gradually changing filament arrangements and tape aspect ratio, and characterised them by AC transport and magnetic measurements. The results are compared to model predictions.     

Magnetic coupling and self-field AC losses of two neighbouring Ag sheathed PbBi2223 tapes

The magnetic interaction between two neighbouring superconducting tapes has significant influences on their self-field AC losses. While the two tapes are independent of each other when separated far apart, they are expected to be fully coupled and behave as a single tape when placed very near. One of the consequences of such coupling is the increase in the self-field loss per tape, which is double of that for an uncoupled tape carrying the same current. In order to assess the interactions among tapes in systems such as a power cable, a better understanding is necessary on the critical distance where the coupling becomes important. Experimental measurements on the self-field losses in two neighbouring Ag sheathed PbBi2223 tapes were carried out with the two tapes separated by various distances, while placed either side by side (side-configuration) or one on top of the other (top-configuration). The results indicates that the critical coupling distance for the top-configuration is about 5 mm, where the increase in loss per tape is about 10%. The critical length for the side-configuration is found to be of the same order of magnitude.     

Experimental study on AC losses in Ag sheathed PbBi2223 tapes with twist filaments

Experimental measurements of AC losses were carried out on Ag sheathed PbBi2223 tapes with twisted and untwisted filaments. Losses were measured at 77 K as function of frequency and magnetic field parallel and perpendicular to the tape surface, using appropriate pick-up loops. Both the first and third harmonics of the signal were measured, in order to distinguish between the hysteresis loss and other types of loss. The effect of filaments uncoupling by twisting was clearly identified. For a tape with a twist pitch of 10 mm and I_c=40 A (20 kA cm⁻²) operating at 43 Hz, the filaments are uncoupled in fields less than 40 mT, which is greater than the full penetration field for both the filaments and the tape. Hence, a reduction in the hysteretic loss of the superconducting core is realised at power frequency between 10 and 40 mT. Results form the self-field loss measurement implies the uncoupling of twisted filaments at relative low transport current (I<0.5I_c)     

Estimation of Jc(B) dependence from self-field alternating current (AC) losses measured on Bi-2223/Ag tapes

Transport AC losses measured in self-field conditions on multifilamentary Bi-2223 tapes are often found to be lower than those calculated within the framework of the critical state model for a bulk wire with elliptical cross section, though generally higher than predicted for a strip. This effect is sometimes ascribed to the non-ideal geometry of the tapes, which does not exactly reproduce either shape. Here we propose an alternative explanation assuming that the critical current density of superconducting material depends on magnetic field. In practice, we analyzed the AC loss curve and deduced different I_c values for the individual data points, using the standard Norris equation for elliptical conductor. This gives the relation between ‘calculated' I_c and the self-field associated to AC transport current, which can be regarded as an alternative way to qualify the dependence of J_c on magnetic field. Important is that this procedure covers the range of fields below the self-field at I_c where the measurement in background DC field can not be used to determine J_c(B).     

AC losses in BiPbSrCaCuO-2223/Ag multifilamentary tapes in conditions similar to those in superconducting transmission lines

Transport AC losses in BiPbSrCaCuO-2223/Ag multifilamentary tape with 19 filaments were measured. The sample was 1.05 m long, wound in form of a helix with a gap between the tapes comparable with the tape width. Two different types of potential leads—tape following, axis following—with taps positioned in the centre of the tape were mounted on inner as well as outer surface of the helical sample. AC losses were measured at power frequencies by an electrical method using a lock-in nanovoltmeter. The influence of potential wires arrangement and the potential taps position on measured AC loss level and its frequency dependence was analysed.     

Measuring transport current loss of BSCCO/Ag tapes exposed to external AC magnetic field

BSCCO/Ag tape superconductors are developed for electrical power applications at liquid nitrogen temperatures. In these applications, e.g., superconducting transformers and power cables, an AC transport current and an AC magnetic field are present at the same time. A set-up to measure the influence of external AC magnetic field on the transport current loss, i.e., the voltage drop across a sample supplied with an AC transport current, has been developed. The magnetic field can be applied both parallel and perpendicular to the broad side of the tape conductor. An increase of the transport current loss due to the external AC magnetic field is observed. When a DC external magnetic field is applied the increase of the self-field loss can be described well by the decrease of the critical current due to the magnetic field. In the case of an AC external magnetic field this is only a minor effect. For magnetic field amplitudes higher than a certain threshold value the transport current loss is described reasonably well by the self-field loss and a dynamic resistance contribution calculated from the DC voltage–current relation in AC magnetic field.     

Comparison between self-field AC losses of a single-phase Bi-2223 cable measured by electric and calorimetric methods

High-T_c power cables based on Bi-2223 tapes are under development worldwide. An important parameter for design and cost optimization is the AC loss expected during 50/60 Hz operation. Its measurement can be affected by several experimental problems that may alter the results. For this purpose, the 50 Hz losses of a 1.5 m long conductor, made by helically winding four layers of Bi-2223 tapes, were measured simultaneously by electrical and calorimetric methods in a wide range of currents up to 2 kA in order to investigate the reasons for possible discrepancies. The present, specifically designed, calorimetric system is not based on temperature distribution analysis but on the measurement of the gas boil-off rate of the liquid nitrogen bath.     

AC losses in multifilamentary HTS-composite tapes based on BiPbSrCaCuO

Some results of AC loss measurements are presented for 19, 61, 127-filamentary Bi-2223/Ag tapes prepared by the ‘powder-in-tube' method. All measurements have been made at T=77 K under sinusoidal transport current with frequency in the range of 30–600 Hz and the current amplitude up to 30 A. The measurements have been carried out both in self field conditions and at the external magnetic field applied to the tape at the different angles. The dependencies of the AC losses on current amplitude and frequency have been obtained. It is found that for all tapes the current amplitude dependencies of the AC losses show good agreement with the Norris prediction for an elliptical or strip geometry. The AC loss dependencies on frequency were linear. The measurements of AC losses in external magnetic field show that the change of AC losses is only through the change of the critical current. So the transport AC losses in the tapes are the ‘saturation losses' that is they are different from classic hysteresis losses.     

Electrical AC loss measurements of Bi-2223 tapes, performed under the Brite EuRam Research programme SACPA

A series of electrical AC loss measurements on Bi-2223 tapes have been performed under the Brite Euram project SACPA. This included, for the first time, a round-robin of independent self-field AC loss measurements between four laboratories. The very close agreement of data demonstrates the validity of the electrical technique and lays the basis for a measurement standard. Other preliminary measurements in SACPA showing the variation of losses with frequency, temperature and applied DC field are also reported.     

AC losses in multifilamentary Bi(2223) tapes with an interfilamentary resistive carbonate barrier

For the most common AC application frequencies, the main component of the AC losses in multifilamentary Bi(2223) tapes are caused by hysteresis- and coupling losses. These losses can be reduced enhancing the matrix resistivity and applying a twist to the filaments. We report on the AC loss properties of 37-filament tapes with AgAu (8 wt.%) matrix, and novel 19-filament tapes with SrCO₃ barriers between the filaments. We performed transport AC loss and magnetic AC loss measurements in parallel and perpendicular magnetic fields. Both kinds of tapes were also prepared with filament twists below a twist pitch of 20 mm. The influence of the different tape modifications on the AC loss behaviour is presented and compared with theoretical models to understand the effect of the resistive matrix. In the case of magnetic AC loss measurements, reduced AC losses due to decoupled filaments were observed for the twisted tapes with a resistive matrix in low parallel fields.     

AC loss measurements on model Bi-2223 conductors

Measurements of the AC loss in applied magnetic fields at 77 K have been made on model composite Bi-2223 conductors. A vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and a dual Hall sensor magnetometer (HSM) were used to cover the frequency range from below 0.01 Hz to over 250 Hz at AC fields up to 0.05 T rms. The VSM was limited to the frequency range below 0.2 Hz. A comparison of the two measurement techniques was possible at intermediate frequencies. The samples consisted of vertical stacks of well separated flat filaments of superconductor in Ag and Ag-alloy matrix, allowing a range of filament coupling conditions to be explored.     

Reduction of AC losses applying novel resistive interfilamentary carbonate barriers in multifilamentary Bi(2223) tapes

Hysteresis losses and coupling losses, a main component of the AC losses in Bi(2223) tapes, can effectively be reduced by enhancing the resistivity of the matrix material between the filaments and applying a filament twist. Since through alloying the sheath, as using AgAu(8 wt.%), the resistivity can only be raised by a factor <10 (77 K), a new conductor configuration with a quite novel composite matrix having resistive SrCO₃ barriers inside the Ag matrix between the filaments was developed. These new barriers, a cheap and commercial material, withstand the tape annealing, do not react with the superconductor, sinter dense and have a good bonding to Ag. Applying two different preparation techniques for 19 filament prototype tapes, critical current densities up to 20.7 kA cm⁻² were achieved. We report on tape preparation, the effect on the phase texture and the superconducting properties of such barrier tapes.     

Manifestations of damage to a silver–gold alloy sheathed Bi-2223 tape through the AC losses and V–I characteristics

AC losses are measured using the null calorimetric method on a silver–gold sheathed Bi-2223 tape. The dependencies on current and on frequency give the usual results, showing the predominance of hysteretic losses. After damaging the tape, the same measurements are repeated. Loss variations with current still follow a power law but with an increased coefficient. Furthermore, the loss now depends on the square root of the frequency. This result is attributed to the presence of cracks in the superconducting core. Some of them reduce locally the cross-section at a point where the transport current is shared nearly equally between the few remaining superconducting grains, and the silver–gold alloy. This explanation is supported by a micrograph of the peeled tape, which shows a thin layer of superconducting material adhering to the silver–gold alloy, even where large cracks are present. The comparison of critical current distributions, extracted from V–I characteristics of the tape before and after the damage, shows a broadening of the good condition peaks. Also a sharp peak at very low current appears and is attributed to a huge fracture in the core.     

基于改进电测法的Bi-2223/Ag高温超导带的交流损耗研究

研究了B i-2223/Ag高温超导带材的交流传输损耗与频率及运行电流的关系。采用锁相放大器激励,内参考方式,首先对纯阻性相位进行定标的改良电测法,对带材的交流传输损耗进行测量。实验在温度77K,频率45-200Hz的范围内进行。实验结果显示:当运行电流幅值小于临界电流时,传输损耗与电流的关系式(P-In)中,指数n介于2-3之间,说明这时的损耗除来源于磁滞损耗外,涡流损耗的作用也不可忽略。鉴于电测法测得的交流损耗与Norris模型的理论计算值差别较大,分析了这种差别产生的原因,并与另一种B i系高温超导带的交流损耗情况进行了对比;此外还对实验误差的大小进行了理论估测。     

高温超导带材Bi-2223/Ag的焊接接头电阻研究

针对高温超导带材Bi-2223/Ag的焊接问题进行了研究.利用ANSYS建立焊接接头电阻特性的有限元计算模型,仿真和计算分析了焊料材料、搭接长度和焊锡层厚度对接头电阻值的影响,并进行了实验验证.实验表明:可通过减少焊料厚度,增加焊接搭接长度来减少接头电阻,当焊接长度在2～5cm,焊料厚度为0.5mm时,Bi-2223/...     

Single-phase AC losses in prototype HTS conductors for superconducting power transmission lines

We report single-phase AC loss measurements on 8-, 4-, and 3-layer, multi-strand, HTS prototype conductors for power transmission lines. We use both calorimetric and electrical techniques. The agreement between the two techniques suggests that the interlayer current distribution in 1-m long conductors are representative of those in long conductors. The losses for the 8- and 4-layer conductors are in rough agreement, with the 8-layer losses being somewhat lower. The 3-layer conductor losses are substantially higher — probably due to unbalanced azimuthal currents for this configuration.