Abstract
Based on the principle of energy conservation, the applicable technique for drained cell retrofitted from conventional one was analyzed with 2D finite element model. The model employed a 1D heat transfer scheme to compute iteratively the freeze profile until the thickness variable reached the terminating requirement. The calculated 2D heat dissipation from the cell surfaces was converted into the overall 3D heat loss. The potential drop of the system, freeze profile and heat balance were analyzed to evaluate their variation with technical parameters when designing the 150 kA conventional cell based drained cell. The simulation results show that the retrofitted drained cell is able to keep thermal balance under the conditions that the current is 190 kA, the anodic current density is 0.96 A/cm2, the anode-cathode distance is 2.5 cm, the alumina cover is 16 cm thick with a thermal conductivity of 0.20 W/(m·°C) and the electrolysis temperature is 946 °C.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
STEDMAN I G, HOUSTON G J, SHAW, R W, et al. Aluminum smelting cells: US, 5043047[P]. 1991-08-27.
TOWNSEND D W. Supersaturation plating of aluminum wettable cathode coatings during aluminum smelting in drained cathode cells: US, 5028301[P]. 1991-07-02.
de NORA V. Cell for aluminum electrowinning employing a cathode cell bottom made of carbon blocks which have parallel channels therein: US, 5683559[P]. 1997-11-04.
BERCLAZ G, de NORA V. Aluminum production cell and cathode: US, 6358393[P]. 2002-03-19.
LI Qing-yu, LAI Yan-qing, LI Jie, et al. The effect of sodium-containing additives on the sodium-penetration resistance of TiB2/C composite cathode in aluminum electrolysis[C]// KVANDE H. TMS Light Metals. San Francisco: Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 2005: 789–791.
FENG Nai-xiang, QI Xi-quan, PENG Jian-ping, et al. Electrolysis test of 1350 A drained cathode reduction cell with TiB2-coated cathode[C]// GALLOWAY T J. TMS Light Metals. San Antonio: Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 2006: 505–509.
ZHOU Nai-jun, XIA Xiao-xia, BAO Sheng-zhong. Effect of electromagnetic force and anode gas on electrolyte flow in aluminum electrolysis cell[J]. Journal of Central South University of Technology, 2006, 13(5): 496–500.
ZHOU Nai-jun, XIA Xiao-xia, WANG Fu-qiang. Numerical simulation on electrolyte flow field in 156 kA drained aluminum reduction cells[J]. Journal of Central South University of Technology, 2007, 14(1): 42–46.
LI Xiang-peng, LI Jie, LAI Yan-qing, et al. Influences of gas discharging grooves at bottom of prebaked carbon anodes on bath flow pattern in aluminum reduction cells[J]. Chinese Journal of Nonferrous Metals, 2006, 16(6): 1088–1093. (in Chinese)
ZHOU Nai-jun, MEI Chi, JIANG Chang-wei, et al. A method of determining and designing the drained slope in drained aluminum reduction cells[J]. Journal of Central South University of Technology, 2003, 10(1): 74–77.
LI Xiang-peng, LI Jie, LAI Yan-qing, et al. Freeze profile heat balance calculation of the 160 kA drained cell[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica: English Letters, 2004, 17(2): 215–220.
PEI Hai-ling, ZHOU Nai-jun, ZHOU Zheng-ming. Research on the performance of resisting heat disturbance of the drained cell[J]. Light Metals, 2005(3): 26–29. (in Chinese)
YANG Zhong-yu. Light Metals Metallurgy[M]. Beijing: Metallurgical Industry Press, 1991. (in Chinese)
ZHOU Ping. Continuously monitoring the shape of the ledge of aluminum electrolysis cells[D]. Changsha: Central South University, 1991. (in Chinese)
HAUGLAND E, BORSET H, GIKLING H, et al. Effects of ambient temperature and ventilation on shell temperature, heat balance and side ledge of an alumina reduction cell[C]// GREPEAU P. TMS Light Metals. San Diego: Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 2003: 269–276.
HUO Qing-fa. Technologies and Equipments of the Aluminum Reduction Industry[M]. Shenyang: Liaohai Publishing House, 2002. (in Chinese)
DUPUIS M. Thermo-electric analysis of the grande-baie aluminum reduction cell[C]// MANNWEILER U. TMS Light Metals. San Francisco: Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, 1994: 339–342.
BROWN C W. Wettability of TiB2-based cathodes in low-temperature slurry-electrolyte reduction cells[J]. JOM, 1998, 50(5): 38–40.
WELCH B J. Aluminum production paths in the new millennium[J]. JOM, 1999, 51(5): 24–28.
KENIRY J. The economics of inert anodes and wettable cathodes for aluminum reduction cells[J]. JOM, 2001, 53(5): 43–47.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Foundation item: Projects(50374081; 60634020) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Liu, W., Li, J., Lai, Yq. et al. 2D finite element analysis of thermal balance for drained aluminum reduction cells. J. Cent. South Univ. Technol. 14, 783–787 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-007-0149-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-007-0149-2