| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Aluminum Reduction Technology
|
| Presentation Title |
Numerical Simulations of Copper Rod Insertion Effects on Current Density, Flow Field Distribution, Cathode Wear, and Electrothermal Dynamics in Aluminum Reduction Cells |
| Author(s) |
Sen Zhou, Mouhamadou Diop, Zhaowen Wang |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Zhaowen Wang |
| Abstract Scope |
This study uses the finite element method (FEM) to examine the impact of copper rods inserted into cathode steel bars in aluminum reduction cells on current and flow field distribution at the metal-cathode interface. It focuses on the effects of varying copper rod lengths and cross-sectional areas on the electric field, comparing electromagnetic flow fields with and without embedded rods. Results show that copper rods reduce the horizontal current at the interface, with reductions linked to rod length and cross-sectional area. The maximum current density decreases from 16,420 A/cm² to 15,543 A/cm², mitigating electrochemical wear. Copper rods also improve aluminum liquid flow, reducing the flow rate from 0.331 m/s to 0.291 m/s and lowering physical wear. The findings are validated against industrial data, confirming their applicability. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Light Metals |
| Keywords |
Aluminum, Electrometallurgy, High-Temperature Materials |