High-temperature superconductor-based power and propulsion system architectures as enablers for high power missions

Collier-Wright, Marcus R.; Betancourt, Manuel La Rosa; Bögel, Elias; Herdrich, Georg; Behnke, Alexander; Ballester, Bartomeu Massuti; Große, Veit

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.08.035

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…When high-temperature superconductors are considered, the h-formulation is a frequently used method for solving the magnetodynamic approximation of Maxwell's equations. It is based on Faraday's law, equation (4), and uses the magnetic field strength h as degree of freedom. This approach works well for non-ferromagnetic solids that conduct current.…”

Section: Mixed Formulationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

BELFEM: a special purpose finite element code for the magnetodynamic modeling of high-temperature superconducting tapes

Messe,

Riva,

Viarengo

et al. 2023

Supercond. Sci. Technol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Predicting the performance and reliability of high-temperature superconducting(HTS) cables and magnets is a critical component of their research and developmentprocess. Novelmixed finite element formulations, particularly the h-φ-formulationwith thin-shell simplification, present promising opportunities for more efficient simulationsof larger geometries. To integrate these novel methods into an accessible and flexibletool, we are developing the Berkeley Lab Finite Element Framework (BELFEM). Thispaper provides an overview of the pertinent formulations, discusses the current state ofthe art, and delves into the primary aspects of the BELFEM code structure. We validatea first 2D thin-shell implementation in BELFEM against selected benchmarks computedin COMSOL Multiphysics and compare the performance of our code with a comparableformulation in GetDP. We also outline the next steps in the development process, pavingthe way for more advanced and robust modeling capabilities

show abstract

Section: Mixed Formulationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…High-temperature superconducting (HTS) cables and magnets play a crucial role in nuclear fusion applications [1], particle accelerators [2], medical devices [3], and even spacecraft engines [4]. To ensure their safe operation, it is necessary to analyze and understand their electrodynamic and methods.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

BELFEM: a special purpose finite element code for the magnetodynamic modeling of high-temperature superconducting tapes

Messe,

Riva,

Viarengo

et al. 2023

Supercond. Sci. Technol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The Russian MPDT, built on second generation High Temperature Superconductors (2G HTSs), achieves a maximum magnetic field of 1 T, resulting in a 300% thrust increase and a 700% boost in efficiency when superconducting magnets are applied. 11 China's superconducting MPDT has achieved a maximum efficiency of 76.6% and a specific impulse of 5714 s. 1 Moreover, numerous research institutions in Germany [12][13][14] and New Zealand 15 have also embarked on research into superconducting MPDT.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the impact of applied magnetic field and current on anode power deposition in AF-MPDT

Tang,

Zheng,

Liu

et al. 2024

AIP Advances

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The high temperature superconductors enhanced magnetoplasmadynamic thruster is a promising device for various space mission scenarios. However, a critical issue hindering the enhancement of the thruster’s performance is the problem of anode power deposition. Previous studies have identified the anode fall voltage as a major contributor to this power deposition. This paper introduces an approximate analytical formula for calculating anode power deposition resulting from anode fall voltage. The paper further analyzes and calculates the variation of anode fall voltage with an applied magnetic field and discharge current. The findings reveal a direct correlation between applied magnetic field and both anode fall voltage and power, indicating an increase with higher magnetic field values. In contrast, while the anode fall voltage experiences a slight decline with increased discharge current, the anode power deposition remains elevated due to the transition from field ionization to thermal ionization. To gain a comprehensive understanding of anode power deposition, an experiment was conducted to obtain measurements under different operating conditions, involving varying levels of applied magnetic field and discharge current. The experimental results align with the theoretical predictions. These insights have the potential to serve as a valuable reference for enhancing the efficiency of magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, bringing us closer to unlocking the full potential of these remarkable propulsion systems in the realm of space exploration.

show abstract

“…As a result, low power AF-MPDT research was deferred in favour of forms of electric propulsion [55], and AF-MPDT technology was not developed to the same extent. Instead of being regarded as thrusters for high specific impulse missions, this has led to the current view: that AF-MPDTs will be important thrusters for future missions requiring high thrust density, high specific impulse and high power operation [37], [56], [57], with only a few AF-MPD thrusters targeting low power regimes but unable to compete with electrostatic thrusters in terms of maturity or electrical efficiency [54], [58], [59].…”

Section: History Of Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrustersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Operating conditions for these thrusters are shown in Table 5.1, which are shown alongside previous CC-EST and AF-MPDT study data. In addition to experimental campaigns, there have been theoretical and commercial studies on the topic of HTS magnets for plasma thruster applied field modules [57], [89], [181].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Central-Cathode Electrostatic Thruster Featuring a High-Temperature Superconducting Applied Field Module

Acheson

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In recent decades, advances in electric propulsion have enabled the development of novel mission designs for space exploration. However, future deep space mission payloads of unprecedented mass will require advances in high thrust, high specific impulse propulsion. To achieve higher thrust density than traditional ion thrusters or Hall effect thrusters, novel designs for central-cathode electrostatic thrusters (CC-ESTs) and applied field magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters incorporate an applied magnetic field module which is used to accelerate plasma. The high thrust density of such designs makes them suitable candidates for further research and development for space deployment.Crucial performance metrics of such thrusters have been shown to increase as the applied magnetic field increases, and high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets show promise as low-power, high applied field modules. Both the strength and the profile of the applied magnetic field are closely tied to thruster performance. This raises the question- which magnetic fields improve thruster performance and why?In this thesis, the impact of the magnetic field strength and profile on the performance of a plasma thruster is investigated. Numerical modelling of a central-cathode electrostatic thruster (CC-EST) was performed with particular regard to the detachment of plasma from magnetic field lines. This modelling was conducted alongside an experimental campaign to manufacture and integrate a high temperature superconducting applied field module with a CC-EST to characterise the HTS CC-EST performance. CC-EST performance was measured at central bore fields exceeding 1 T and with two different magnetic field profiles. These efforts have led to a novel understanding of the scaling of performance parameters in CC-EST with magnetic field, and how the performance of the thruster might be tailored to a specific application.

show abstract

High-temperature superconductor-based power and propulsion system architectures as enablers for high power missions

Cited by 8 publications

References 9 publications

BELFEM: a special purpose finite element code for the magnetodynamic modeling of high-temperature superconducting tapes

BELFEM: a special purpose finite element code for the magnetodynamic modeling of high-temperature superconducting tapes

Investigating the impact of applied magnetic field and current on anode power deposition in AF-MPDT

A Central-Cathode Electrostatic Thruster Featuring a High-Temperature Superconducting Applied Field Module

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About