DC performance analysis of NbTi and Nb3Sn ITER relevant cable-in-conduit conductors

A model has been developed to analyze the DC performance of NbTi and Nb₃Sn Cable in Conduit Conductor (CICC) tested in the Sultan facility at CRPP Villigen-Switzerland. The voltage distribution along the conductor is reconstructed from the local electric field appearing on each of the cable strands as a function of temperature and magnetic field. The local heating due to the operation in the current-sharing regime is included as a heat load. The forced flow of helium is simulated by a time dependent 1-D compressible flow. The model is used for predictive s that are then compared to the experimental results of both NbTi and Nb₃Sn conductor short sample tests. The simulated tests include both ramping of the sample current at constant inlet temperature (I_c test) and ramping of the inlet temperature at constant current (T_cs test).