Thermo-hydraulic analysis of the cool-down of the EDIPO test facility

The first cool-down of the EDIPO (European DIPOle) test facility is foreseen to take place in 2011 by means of the existing 1.2 kW cryoplant at EPFL-CRPP Villigen. In this work, the thermo-hydraulic analysis of the EDIPO cool-down is performed in order both to assess the its duration and to optimize the procedure. The cool-down is driven by the helium flowing in both the outer cooling channel and in the windings connected hydraulically in parallel. We take into account limitations due to the pressure drop in the cooling circuit and the refrigerator capacity as well as heat conduction in the iron yoke. Two schemes of the hydraulic cooling circuit in the EDIPO windings are studied (coils connected in series and coils connected in parallel). The analysis is performed by means of an analytical model complemented by and numerical model. The results indicate that the cool-down to 5 K can be achieved in about 12 days.

► Thermo-hydraulic analysis of the EDIPO test facility cool-down is performed. ► Analysis is performed by means of analytical and numerical models. ► Limitations due to the pressure drop and refrigerator capacity taken into account. ► Transient heat conduction problem in the EDIPO main body solved numerically. ► Cool-down to 5 K can be achieved in about 12 days.