Optimized design of a novel energy extraction system for superconducting magnets in future particle accelerators

Abstract

For future accelerators, a new approach is studied for energy extraction systems which enable energy recovery. A converter system which controls the voltage across the magnet chain during the energy extraction process and which transfers the energy to a storage unit is proposed. Due to a large number of degrees of freedom, an optimization procedure based on an electro-thermal model of the converter is developed aiming to maximize both efficiency and power density. The implemented algorithm takes into account the losses, the thermal constraints and the heat sink volume for the semiconductor switches, the volume occupied by the required capacitors as well as the design of the inductor, calculating its geometry, winding properties, losses and thermal model for identifying the winding and core hot spot temperatures. Finally, an optimal point in the design space is identified and the parameters of this particular point are presented. The results are compared to simulations showing a good match with the values calculated with the modules in the optimization tool.