Gradient system with controlled cooling in the individual gradient channels

A gradient coil system for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, the gradient coil system comprising:

• a plurality of gradient coils for applying a gradient magnetic field to a target volume;
• the gradient coil system having gradient channels, each channel having associated a gradient coil and current supply for supplying the gradient coil with electrical current to generate a gradient magnetic field in the direction the channel is associated with,
• at least one coolant tube per gradient coil for cooling the gradient coil, the coolant tubes being connected to respective flow control devices;
• the flow control devices being provided with individual gradient channels so as to independently control the flow of coolant for the respective gradient channels and
• a controller coupled to the coolant tubes configured to control each flow control device of the flow control devices for adjusting the flow of a coolant in the respective coolant tube, wherein the controller is configured to control the flow control device on the basis of heat load caused by the respective gradient coil.