A finite element solution to the steady state potential and thermal field distributions in the joint region of a water-cooled resistive conductor

To aid in the design and development of resistive magnetic field coils for nuclear fusion applications, a finite element solution procedure has been developed. The computations include solution to the electric potential distribution, the spatial variation of the Joule heat generation, and the temperature distribution in a water-cooled resistive conductor over a joint region.

Sufficient assumptions are made that permit the thermal uncoupling of the governing electrical and thermal differential equations, but, extensions of the analysis technique appear feasible for problems where temperature dependency of conductor properties is significant.

The electrical and thermal effects of conductor surface contacts are included through use of experimental information. Results developed in this study agree favorably with the results of conductor joint tests performed at The Oak Ridge National Laboratory.