Quench Analyses of the MIT 1.3-GHz LTS/HTS NMR Magnet

The MIT 1.3-GHz LTS/high-temperature superconducting (HTS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) magnet is currently under development. The unique features of this magnet include a three-nested formation for an 800-MHz REBa₂Cu₃O_x (RE = Y, Gd) (REBCO) insert (H800) and the no-insulation (NI) winding technique for H800 coils. Because when it is driven to the normal state, an NI REBCO magnet will respond electromagnetically, thermally, and mechanically that may result in permanent magnet damage, analysis of a quenching magnet is a key aspect of HTS magnet protection. We have developed a partial element equivalent circuit method coupled to a thermal and stress finite-element method to analyze electromagnetic and mechanical responses of a nested-coil REBCO magnet each a stack of NI pancake coils. Using this method, quench simulations of the MIT 1.3-GHz LTS (L500)/HTS (H800) NMR magnet (1.3G), we have evaluated currents, strains, and torques of H800 Coils 1 to 3 and L500, and center fields of 1.3G, L500, and H800. Our analyses show H800 is vulnerable to mechanical damage.