Effect of the twisting chirality configuration on the electromechanical behavior of multilayer superconducting tapes

Seeking a geometry that can withstand greater transverse loads based on the electromechanical material properties of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) tape is an effective way of improving the transport performance of HTS cables. The cabling method requires the determination of the optimum twist angle of the HTS tape for withstanding transverse loads. This paper investigates the critical current characteristics of HTS tapes under combined deformation. The limit range of the twist angle under the combined deformation is measured and the optimum twist angle of the HTS tape is determined. The results show that the twisting chirality configuration obviously affects the bending strength of the HTS tape. In the elastic range, increasing the pre-twist angle increases the bending strength of the HTS tape, thereby improving the transport performance. In addition, a numerical model is built to further investigate the effect of the twisting chirality configuration on the electromechanical properties of the HTS tape, and the experimental results are explained. The experimental and simulation results generally agree well, and calculations show that there is always a sharp change in stress at the interface of different materials. These findings explain the mechanism of the effect of the twisting chirality configuration on the mechanical behavior and critical current of the HTS tape. They also provide a reference for cabling methodologies for the HTS cable configuration.     

AC losses in circular arrangements of parallel superconducting tapes

The DC and AC properties of superconducting tapes connected in parallel and arranged in a single closed layer on two tubes (corresponding to power cable conductor models with infinite pitch) with different diameters are compared. We find that the DC properties, i.e., the critical currents of the two arrangements, scale with the number of tapes and hence appear to be independent of the diameter. However, the AC loss per tape (for a given current per tape) appears to decrease with increasing diameter of the circular arrangement. Compared to a model for the AC loss in a continuous superconducting layer (Monoblock model) the measured values are about half an order of magnitude higher than expected for the small diameter arrangement. When compared to the AC loss calculated for N individual superconducting tapes using a well known model (Norris elliptical) the difference is slightly smaller.     

外场下机械振动对高温超导带材交流损耗的影响

高温超导带材在磁场中传输交变电流时,将受到电磁力的作用而产生机械振动,振动对带材的交流损耗将产生影响.本文讨论了振动情况下交流损耗的测量方法,在平行于带面的直流磁场下,测量了Bi-2223/Ag高温超导带材在不同振动情况下的交流损耗.结果显示:当传输电流频率偏离样品的共振频率时,振动对带材的交流损耗影响不大;只有当电流频率在共振频率附近时,样品产生剧烈振动,交流损耗才有明显的增加;另外,带材振动时的交流损耗随频率变化曲线的斜率比不振动时略有增加.     

Investigation of Bi-2223 high temperature superconducting tape as the material for gradient coil in MRI

The use of Bi-2223 high temperature superconducting (HTS) tape as a material for gradient coils in MRI is evaluated in this paper. Bi-2223 tapes have a very high critical current and a very low power loss. A HTS tape gradient coil is expected to provide much higher gradient strength and generate much lower heating than a copper coil. Measurements of the AC power loss of Bi-2223 tapes at typical operating frequencies for gradient coils are presented. The degradation of the critical current and its effect on the increase of AC power loss is analyzed. Practical technical issues such as resistance, gradient strength and mechanical performance are also discussed. A prototype Bi-2223 HTS tape gradient coil is evaluated to verify the concept.     

低温/高温复合超导体中的电流分布的研究

低温/高温复合超导体是将高温超导体部分取代复合实用低温超导体中的金属稳定材料或两者直接复合成一体,这种复合超导体具有稳定性高,工程电流密度大等优点.本文对NbTi/Bi2223高温复合超导体中的电流分布进行了理论研究,并得出液氦温度下,如果复合超导导体中,低温超导体和高温超导体具有相同的临界电流,超导体正常运行时低温超导体中的电流大于高温超导体中的电流,两者之比随运行电流的升高而降低.     

Numerical calculation of current density distributions in high temperature superconducting tapes with finite thickness in self field and external field

The current density distribution of high temperature superconducting (HTS) tapes is modeled for the combined case of an alternating self and applied magnetic field. This numerical analysis is based on the two-dimensional Poisson equation for the vector potential. A one-dimensional current (z-direction) and a one-dimensional applied field (y-direction) are assumed. The vector potential is rewritten into an equation of motion for the current density J(x,y,t). The model covers the finite thickness of the conductor and an n-power E–J relation. The magnetic field dependence of J_c is also included in this E–J relation. A time-dependent two-dimensional current distribution that is influenced by the aspect ratio of the conductor and the material properties in E=f(J,B) is calculated numerically. The numerical results are compared with the experimental results for the AC loss of a tape driven by a transport current. Finally, a total AC loss factor is given for two cases in magnetic field direction, perpendicular and parallel to the conductor broad side.     

传输交流的Bi2223/Ag高温超导带在不同取向交流外场下的交流损耗

在高温超导的电力应用中，如超导电机、变压器等，多数情况下，高温超导带材在通以交流传输电流的同时还处于交变磁场中。此时，超导体的交流损耗不仅依赖于磁场的大小，还与磁场相对于超导带面的取向有关。本文在77K及工频50Hz情况下，实验研究了单根多芯Bi2223/Ag高温超导带及两带并联时的交流损耗随着外磁场与带面夹角的变化情况；以及交流磁场对临界电流的影响情况；并对单根带及两带并联的实验结果进行了比较与分析。     

10 kV紧凑型三相同轴高温超导电缆交流损耗研究

根据10 kV紧凑型三相同轴高温超导电缆参数,在COMSOL Multiphysics有限元软件中建立电缆的二维仿真模型,基于H方程求解了电缆在额定工况稳态运行时以及不同传输电流下的磁场分布和交流损耗;在此基础上,分析了绕制半径、相间距离以及相间相对角度对交流损耗的影响.仿真结果表明,各相超导层绕制半径越小,相间距离越小,各相产生的交流损耗越小;三相的交流损耗有随着超导层结构周期性变化的特点,且当相间相对角度为0°时,各相产生的交流损耗最大.     

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.     

脉冲磁化下高温超导带叠层导体的力学特征分析

第二代(RE)BCO高温超导带可以进行切割和堆叠以形成叠层状的复合导体结构,具备磁化后捕获强磁场的潜力.脉冲磁化条件下,叠层导体会受到电-磁-热多物理场作用,易对高温超导带的力学稳定性造成不利影响.本文基于电磁场H格式和热传导方程对叠层导体进行了多场耦合建模分析,同时结合有限元方法,分析了圆柱形叠层导体脉冲磁化过程中的应力分布特性.结果显示,环向拉应力是叠层导体的主要破坏因素.环向应力的主导成分为热应力,其变化趋势与热应力变化高度吻合.热应力在叠层内部处于较低水平,表现为拉应力,沿半径逐渐变更为压缩应力,在边缘区域达到峰值-34 MPa,随后转变为拉应力,并在边界处达到峰值38 MPa,峰值时间点都位于升磁阶段,降磁阶段峰值不断降低.     

Calculating transport AC losses in stacks of high temperature superconductor coated conductors with magnetic substrates using FEM

In this paper, the authors investigate the electromagnetic properties of stacks of high temperature superconductor (HTS) coated conductors with a particular focus on calculating the total transport AC loss. The cross-section of superconducting cables and coils is often modeled as a two-dimensional stack of coated conductors, and these stacks can be used to estimate the AC loss of a practical device. This paper uses a symmetric two dimensional (2D) finite element model based on the H formulation, and a detailed investigation into the effects of a magnetic substrate on the transport AC loss of a stack is presented. The number of coated conductors in each stack is varied from 1 to 150, and three types of substrate are compared: non-magnetic weakly magnetic and strongly magnetic. The non-magnetic substrate model is comparable with results from existing models for the limiting cases of a single tape (Norris) and an infinite stack (Clem). The presence of a magnetic substrate increases the total AC loss of the stack, due to an increased localized magnetic flux density, and the stronger the magnetic material, the further the flux penetrates into the stack overall. The AC loss is calculated for certain tapes within the stack, and the differences and similarities between the losses throughout the stack are explained using the magnetic flux penetration and current density distributions in those tapes. The ferromagnetic loss of the substrate itself is found to be negligible in most cases, except for small magnitudes of current. Applying these findings to practical applications, where AC transport current is involved, superconducting coils should be wound where possible using coated conductors with a non-magnetic substrate to reduce the total AC loss in the coil.     

Numerical modelings of superconducting wires for AC loss calculations

Superconducting properties of superconducting wires as well as the influence of their composite structure and twisting should be taken into account for their numerical modeling for AC loss calculations. Furthermore, complicated electromagnetic conditions in electrical apparatuses under which superconducting wires are used influence their AC loss properties; superconducting wires carry their transport current and are exposed to the external magnetic field whose direction and magnitude vary spatially. A series of numerical models of superconducting tapes based on the finite element method has been developed. In each model, some of the above-mentioned factors that could influence the AC loss properties are taken into account. The models are formulated with the current vector potential and the scalar magnetic potential (T–Ω method). Superconducting property is given by the E–J characteristic represented by a power law. The current distributions in non-twisted and twisted superconducting tapes carrying their transport current and/or exposed to the external magnetic field are calculated with these models to estimate their AC loss. The current distribution in a short piece of superconducting tape exposed to AC magnetic field is also calculated.     

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.     

AC losses in a flexible 10 m long conductor model for a HTS power transmission cable

To demonstrate the possibility of manufacturing a HTS power transmission cable with low AC losses, we fabricated a 10 m long cable conductor and a cryosystem. The conductor was wound in a four-layer design out of 2 km Ag/Bi-2223 tapes. We determined a critical current of 5000 A. Loss measurements were performed with an electric method which detects the voltage drop along the conductor with a lock-in technique and a calorimetric method which measures the temperature rise along the conductor. Both methods yield the same low loss values of only 0.8 W/m at 77 K and 2000 A_rms/50 Hz. This is due to the low loss winding scheme we used which assures an equal current distribution in all four layers through transformatoric coupling. We applied the uniform current distribution model and added the nonlinear V–I curve to describe quantitatively the obtained results.     

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.     

冷绝缘高温超导电缆电磁特性计算与分析

为了获得超导电缆电磁特性变化规律,针对冷绝缘高温超导电缆本体的基本结构,采用安培定律推导了超导电缆导体层和屏蔽层自感、互感的计算公式.通过110kV冷绝缘超导电缆的实例计算,研究了超导电缆导体层、屏蔽层的内径、绕向角、绕制方向三个结构参数对电磁特性的影响,总结了电感参数变化规律.     

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.     

Numerical minimization of AC losses in coaxial coated conductor cables

Power cables are one of the most promising applications for the superconducting coated conductors. In the AC use, only small resistive loss is generated, but the removal of the dissipated heat from the cryostat is inefficient due to the large temperature difference. The aim of this work is to minimize the AC losses in a multilayer coaxial cable, in which the tapes form current carrying cylinders. The optimized parameters are the tape numbers and lay angles in these cylinders. This work shows how to cope with the mechanical constraints for the lay angles and discrete tape number in optimization. Three common types of coaxial cables are studied here to demonstrate the feasibility of optimization, in which the AC losses were computed with a circuit analysis model formulated here for arbitrary phase currents, number of phases, and layers. Because the current sharing is practically determined by the inductances of the layers, the optima were obtained much faster by neglecting the nonlinear resistances caused by the AC losses. In addition, the example calculations show that the optimal cable structure do not usually depend on the AC loss model for the individual tapes. On the other hand, depending on the cable type, the losses of the optimized cables may be sensitive to the lay angles, and therefore, we recommend to study the sensitivity for the new cable designs individually.     

Finite element analysis of AC loss in non-twisted Bi-2223 tape carrying AC transport current and/or exposed to DC or AC external magnetic field

AC losses in Bi-2223 superconducting tapes carrying AC transport current and/or exposed to DC or AC magnetic field are calculated with a numerical model based on the finite element method. Superconducting property is given by the E–J characteristic represented by a power law using equivalent conductivity. First, transport loss and magnetization loss are calculated numerically and compared with measured values. The calculated losses almost agree with the measured losses. Frequency dependencies of calculated and measured transport losses are compared with each other. Next, the influence of DC external magnetic field on the transport loss is studied. DC external magnetic field reduces n that is an exponent in the power law connecting resistivity and current density. The numerically calculated transport loss increases with increasing DC magnetic field. Finally, the total loss of superconducting tape carrying AC transport current in AC magnetic field is calculated. In the perpendicular magnetic field, the calculated total loss is lager than the sum of the transport loss and the magnetization loss, while they almost agree with each other in the parallel magnetic field.     

20kA高温超导电流母线本体的绕制和实验

系统描述了20kA、5米长高温超导电流母线本体的绕制、焊接及实验。超导母线本体设计采用成熟的均流技术设计,在自主开发的专用绕线机上进行绕制。超导线采用B i2223/Ag多芯不锈钢加强带材。在超导带材与端部焊接过程中采用新的焊接技术,保证了超导性能不退化和减小接触电阻。对绕制的超导母线本体进行了直流实验。实验结果表明,两端端部接触电阻小于10nΩ,超导母线的临界电流大于32kA,满足设计指标要求。