A general model for thermal, hydraulic and electric analysis of superconducting cables

In this paper we describe a generic, multi-component and multi-channel mode l for the analysis of superconducting cables. The aim of the model is to tr eat in a general and consistent manner simultaneous thermal, electric and h ydraulic transients in cables. The model is devised for most general situat ions, but reduces in limiting cases to most common approximations without l oss of efficiency. We discuss here the governing equations, and we write th em in a matrix form that is well adapted to numerical treatment. We finally demonstrate the model capability by comparison with published experimental data on current distribution in a two-strand cable. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scie nce Ltd. All rights reserved.