Thermal analysis of toroidal field coil in EAST at 3.7 K

The thermal performance of toroidal field (TF) coil is studied at 3.7 K in Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak device (EAST) to obtain the higher stability for the higher plasma parameters operation. It is a good way to lower the operating temperature of TF coil to acquire the higher stability margin. This paper describes the structure and cooling process design of TF coil and case firstly. Based on the thermal load in the case, the thermal performance of the TF coil is performed at the plasma disruption state. The helium temperature in the cable-in-conduit conductor (CICC) and case is evaluated during the 1.5 MA plasma disruptions. Then, the experimental results of TF coil which has been cooled at 3.7 K and discharged in 10 kA are shown including the thermal loss evaluation. Finally, the thermal stability performance of TF coil is analyzed according to the 3.7 K experimental results and the stability prediction is performed at 1.5 MA plasma current operations.