Applications of Low Temperature, AC Superconducting Magnets to Material Processing

Superconducting technology has conventionally been used in magnetic separation using high DC field as its industrial application. In the field of electromagnetic processing of materials (EPM), on the other hand, it has a lot of advantages in the production of high quality, high value-added materials, such as uniformity in crystals, faster refining speed, facilitation of separation of inclusions, and attracts considerable attention. In the present study, we intended to lay a new path to industrial application of superconducting technology, and aimed at applying AC superconducting technology to high AC field as is expected in EPM. We examined thermal insulation technology regarding high temperature metals and low temperature superconducting magnets, and showed a path to solutions. We also designed magnets for applied stirring field, and made a prototype of magnets in which effective countermeasures are adopted against the shape of magnets and electromagnetic oscillation