Finite element analysis of the temperature distribution within a Conduction-Cooled, MgB2-based MRI superconducting coil segment

Superconducting magnets used for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners need to keep temperature gradients minimized in order to retain thermal and operating current margin. We have used 3D finite element analysis (FEA) simulation in COMSOL Multiphysics software that includes both conductive heat transfer and radiative heating to calculate the temperature distribution both along the winding direction and across the cross-section of an MRI segment coil at its equilibrium operating temperature. We have also modelled the evolution of the thermal properties during cool-down from ambient temperature. The heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the magnet winding were computed for use within this simulation. The heat capacity as a function of tem-perature was calculated using a rule of mixtures. This procedure was also used for the thermal conductivity along the direction of the wire. However, the thermal conductivity within the composite cross section (x- and y -di-rections) was computed using a 2D FEA model. Based on this, a time-dependent, 3D coil model was built to calculate the coil temperature throughout the winding during cool-down in our test cryostat system. The model included a heat leak component to the coil current contacts via conduction through the current leads as well as a radiative component from the surfaces of the cryostat. A key result was that a maximum coil Delta Tmax = 5.1 K (=maximum temperature within the winding-minimum temperature in the winding) was seen and a coil Ic margin of 12.75 A was predicted at steady state, with our first current lead design. A second set of more opti-mized current leads significantly lowered the Delta Tmax within the coil at the steady state. The coil Ic margin has been analyzed for different current lead designs.

Automated summary

This study conducted a 3D finite element analysis simulation to investigate the temperature distribution and thermal properties evolution of superconducting magnets in MRI scanners. The results showed that at steady state, the maximum temperature difference within the coil was 5.1 K and the current margin was 12.75 A. Optimized current lead designs can reduce the temperature difference within the coil.