Reduced filament coupling in Bi(2223)/BaZrO3/Ag composite tapes

Multifilamentary Bi(2223)/Ag tapes often exhibit AC loss levels comparable to those measured in monofilamentary samples, which is partly due to the large coupling currents induced in the low resistive sheath material. Surrounding the individual filaments by electrically insulating barrier layers suppresses these currents and strongly reduces the coupling. We demonstrate this effect with various types of magnetic and self-field AC loss measurements on a series of Bi(2223)/BaZrO₃/Ag tapes. We also discuss the influence of barrier thickness, twist pitch length and filament arrangement on the measured losses in these composite conductors.     

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.     

Frequency dependence of AC loss in Bi(2223)Ag-sheathed tapes

The AC self-field loss in Bi(2223)Ag-sheathed tapes with different number of filaments has been measured between 59 and 2500 Hz by means of a dual lock-in amplifier. Due to the wide frequency range of the measurements, we have been able to dissociate quantitatively the different self-field loss contributions: hysteretic, eddy current and resistive loss (near I_c). This is an important advantage compared to single frequency measurements where such loss dissociation is only qualitative. The hysteresis losses of the different tapes fall between Norris' predictions for elliptical and strip cross-section. The relative weight of eddy current loss is found to be inversely proportional to the current ratio—the higher the i, the less is their contribution. Frequency-independent resistive loss due to flux-creep is observed for high currents at low frequencies; this loss becomes quickly negligible with the increasing frequency.     

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.     

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)     

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.     

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.     

High-Tc superconductors and AC loss in electrotechnical devices

To replace conventional normal conducting solutions in electrotechnical devices, high-T_c superconductors must offer distinct economical and technical benefits in terms of lower overall loss, volume and weight. Based on AC loss theory we design appropriate 50 Hz reference conductors for cables, transformers and other applications, calculate admissible limits for the conductor variables filament diameter, twist and matrix resistance and compare this to the present state of Bi-2223-tape conductors and AC loss measurements. Further the influence of perpendicular AC field components on losses is addressed. High current devices will require multistrand conductors, where nonuniform current distribution due to unbalanced magnetic coupling may result in partial saturation and enhanced losses. As an example we discuss the multilayer HTSC-cable and present a solution based on a ‘zero flux condition' for azimuthal and axial magnetic fields.     

Twist effect on hysteresis loss in Bi2223 multifilamentary wires exposed to an AC magnetic field

We fabricated Bi2223 multifilamentary sample wires with various twist pitches and investigated the electromagnetic properties experimentally. They showed monofilamentlike electromagnetic properties regardless of twisting due to the contacts among filaments and/or proximity effect. The observed AC losses in the non-twisted sample wire agreed roughly with the theoretical prediction for a homogeneous superconducting slab with the same thickness of the filamentary region on the basis of Irie–Yamafuji model. However the AC losses in the twisted wires deviated from the theoretical ones, especially for the amplitude around the theoretically predicted penetration field of the slab. We showed that the observed AC loss properties can be explained by both the twist effect for the macroscopic shielding current and the contribution of the local shielding current.     

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.     

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.     

Evaluation of geometrical effect on magnetization loss in GdBCO coated conductor

The magnetization loss density in stacked GdBa₂Cu₃O_7−δ coated conductor was measured using a SQUID magnetometer in a magnetic field normal to the tape surface to investigate the effect of stack on the magnetization loss. The AC loss characteristics are successfully collapsed to a single curve by the normalization at all the measurement temperatures. The losses are similar at high magnetic fields regardless the number of tapes. In addition, the AC loss decreases with increasing the number of tapes in stack at low magnetic fields.     

Comparison of transport and magnetic AC losses in Bi-2223/Ag tapes — the role of superconducting core geometry

AC losses were measured by 4-probe transport method and by external magnetization method in three samples of Bi-2223/Ag tape: a multifilamentary tape with separated filaments, another multifilamentary tape with ‘bridges' between filaments, and a two-shell tape. The transport losses agreed with those calculated using I_c from DC experiment. Magnetization experiments gave indications about the various paths of induced currents. For the tape with well separated filaments the main part of screening current closes inside individual filaments. Additional screening of the whole filamentary zone involves the normal metal matrix, leading to frequency dependent losses. In the case of tape with ‘bridged' filaments, supercurrents interconnect the filaments into bundles whose screening (and loss) is frequency-independent. Matching the experimental data indicates that a typical bundle was composed of 8 filaments. Magnetic losses of the two-shell tape were explained by a model for magnetization of superconducting wire with elliptical cross-section.     

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.     

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。     

AC loss in a high-temperature superconducting coil

In a typical superconducting coil made of BSCCO/Ag tape, both amplitude and direction of the magnetic field determine the critical current, resistive voltage and AC loss. The distribution of the magnetic field along and across the superconducting tape in a coil is rather complex. This gives rise to the question: how accurate can one predict the critical current, V–I characteristic and AC loss of the AC coil from results of short sample measurements? To answer this question, we have measured and compared the characteristics of a short sample and a small coil employing 14 m of the same tape at 77 K. The comparison is performed as follows. First, a short sample is characterised with regard to the field dependence of the critical current, V–I characteristic and the AC loss. Second, the distribution of the magnetic field along the tape in a coil is accurately calculated. From the data, the voltage along the tape and the loss of the tape in the coil are found. Finally, the resistive voltage and the AC loss of the complete coil are calculated and compared to measured AC losses in the frequency range of 0 to 160 Hz, typical for power applications.     

AC transport current loss of assembled conductor of HTS tapes

We study experimentally and theoretically the AC transport current loss characteristics of a tape in multiple tapes assembled in single layer and subject to external field produced by transport currents of adjacent tapes. We measured the AC transport current losses of a Bi2223 silver-sheathed tape in a single layer arrangement of three tapes using our newly developed potential leads arrangement to avoid spurious loss components caused by the magnetization in the adjacent tapes. In the paper, the influence of the external AC field produced by adjacent tapes on the loss characteristics is studied based on the experimental results and theoretical analysis.     

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.     

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.     

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.