Finite Element Method simulation study of heat propagation in a novel YBCO-based Coated Conductor for resistive fault current limiters

YBCO-based Coated Conductors (CCs) used for applications in Resistive Superconducting Fault Current Limiters (RSFCLs) are well known to have fairly low values of Normal Zone Propagation Velocity (NZPV) during quench avalanche phenomena. Slow propagating normal zones result in the Joule heating localization that may lead to permanent damages of the devices. A marked improvement can be made by enhancing the thermal conductivity of the underlying substrate of YBCO-based CC. We propose an electrically isolated multilayered substrate containing a micron scaled copper layer on the top of a massive fused silica substrate. In order to compute NZPV values, Finite Element Method (FEM) simulations have been performed in COMSOL Multiphysics on a 3D meander-like configuration of such a novel YBCO-based RSFCL. The simulation results have demonstrated an enhancement in NZPVs by promoting the novel RSFCL multistructure as a radical alternative to earlier studied cases. The relevance of copper thickness variation has also been examined.