Porous Media Approach in Hydraulic Performance Evaluation of Cable-in-Conduit Conductor in Superconducting Magnet Applications

ABSTRACT

The porous media approach is much applicable and favorable where the geometrical details are represented with a matrix or frame having pores through which the fluid flows. It is very generalized idea to capture the topological descriptions of the flow channel which is mainly characterized through void or porosity), permeability, drag coefficient etc. for the fluid flow analysis. The Cable-in-conduit conductor (CICC) is made from the superconducting strands in twisting patterns enclosed in a metal conduit and cooled through forced flow of cryogens can also be represented as porous media for the fluid flow characterization. In the present study, using the numerical simulation tool, ANSYS CFX®, and conducting room temperature tests, is utilized to characterize the CICC, made from 180 twisted strands of 0.8 mm diameter packed in ~11 mm 11 mm square conduit/jacket, by applying the porous media analogy for Reynolds number up to 2500. The empirical values, permeability 3.6 x 10⁻⁶ m² and drag coefficient 1121 m⁻¹ obtained from the experiments are provided as an input the numerical simulation. The results obtained through the simulations are validated against the measurements and available correlations for the CICC friction factor. The simulation results remain in good agreement with the measurement at 200 < Re < 2000 with a maximum deviation of 16%.