An analysis of quench characteristics of high Tc superconductors

Thermal stability of high Tc superconducting cables with a silver sheath cooled by pool boiling of liquid nitrogen has been investigated. The propagation of the normal conducting front is simulated by applying the finite difference method to the 1-D and 2-D governing equations and the stability margins are evaluated as a function of the electric current and the thermal disturbance. The difference in stability margin between 1-D and 2-D simulations shown in the results is originated from the initial temperature rise on the surface due to the thermal disturbance applied on the surface and the thermal diffusion mainly through the sheath