| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Aluminum Reduction Technology
|
| Presentation Title |
MHD Stability of Aluminium Cells - Cathode Design Effects |
| Author(s) |
Valdis Bojarevics, Marc Dupuis |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Marc Dupuis |
| Abstract Scope |
An estimate of MHD stability is an important criterion when attempting to increase the aluminium reduction cell efficiency. The MHD stability is achieved by optimizing the magnetic field and the electric current distribution in the liquid metal. The magnetic field distribution is mostly determined by the external busbar network and the magnetized steel parts, while the electric current in the liquid metal is affected by the design elements of anode and cathode block+ collector bar construction details. Theoretical studies of MHD stability often rely on a simplified uniform current distribution over the cathode bottom. Modelling of commercial cells requires a detailed 3d representation of the cell cathode, coupled to the liquid metal. The software MHD-VALDIS permits to account for current distribution in the liquid metal and the coupled cathode including variable material properties, contact resistance, temperature dependent collector conductivity, carbon block length and ledge profile along cell perimeter. The software permits to compute the full electric current and magnetic field distribution change in time resulting in the velocities and metal/electrolyte interface wave development leading to damping or growth in an unstable cell. To quantify the instability the damping rate is determined using a new technique based on the consecutive wave peak heights comparison. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Light Metals |
| Keywords |
Aluminum, Modeling and Simulation, Other |