Towards simulation of magnet quench using hp-FEM

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners rely on superconducting magnets consisting of coils of superconducting material to produce a strong magnetic field across the bore of the magnet as part of the imaging process. To maintain superconductivity, the material needs to be kept very cold in a bath of liquid helium. However, sometimes problems can occur during a process called quench leading to heating of the material and the loss of superconductivity. This work is concerned with predicting quench by solving a coupled system of transient Thermal, Maxwell and Circuit equations.