Cryogenic Thermal Modeling and Experimental Validation of a Novel Heat Sink for Helium Gas Cooled Superconducting Devices

Terminations are an essential part of any superconducting cable system since they maintain the cryogenic environment for the HTS superconductor by intercepting the heat leak from the ambient into the cryogenic system. Due to phase change high pressurization effects and asphyxiation hazards, the use of liquid cryogens on shipboard power systems is unacceptable. Hence, cable terminations, represented by a gaseous helium cooled heat sink, are developed for this specific purpose. A κ-ε turbulent model, discretized using the finite-element method, is used here to study the characteristics of the heat sink in turbulent flow regime. The model is successfully validated with an extensive set of experimental data covering a wide range of Reynolds numbers at various inflow temperatures conditions. Furthermore, the model is used to study the heat sink characteristics such as pressure drop and temperature rise under various coolant flow conditions and heat influxes. The model results are scalable and can be used to design and optimize larger heat sinks with turbulent flow regime.