Results of simulations of stability and quench behavior for pulsed tests of the ENEA 12T Nb3Sn CICC coil

In the ENEA Frascati Laboratory a facility is being assembled to test the ENEA Nb₃Sn CICC coil in pulsed regimes. The characteristics of the coil (dimensions, cable-in-conduit conductor, strand designed for use in variable field) are such to make these tests of primary importance to predict the behaviour of the ITER (International Thermo-nuclear Experimental Reactor) Central Solenoid Model Coil, which will be built in the next two years. In particular, the stability and quench behaviour of the coil will be tested and compared to the predictions of the thermo-hydraulic analysis code SARUMAN. Other important parameters will be the ramp rate limination, the limiting current and the conductor losses. Several testing scenarios (ramp up and discharge) are described and the present status of testing programme definition is given, together with the associated analyses.