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CFD Modeling of Alumina Diffusion and Distribution in Aluminum Smelting Cells

  • CFD Modeling and Simulation in Materials Processing
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Abstract

With the increase in line current and decrease in bath volume of aluminum smelting cells, alumina distribution is critical to cell performance. A VOF-DPM model with four flat anodes was developed to simulate the distribution, and can track both the gas–bath interface and dispersed alumina particles. The results show that alumina is more likely to accumulate in the anode gaps, and from there travels to side channels. More than 20 min are needed for the fed alumina to reach the concentration equilibrium; the alumina gradient in the transversal direction of the model exceeds that in the longitudinal direction.

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Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the financial supports provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51434005, 51529401, 51804069 and 51474060) and the Fundamental Research Funds for Northeastern University (No. N172503015).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, Liaoning, China

    Xiaozhen Liu, Youjian Yang, Zhaowen Wang, Wenju Tao & Tuofu Li

  2. Key Laboratory of Ecological Metallurgy of Multi-metallic Mineral (Northeastern University), Ministry of Education, Shenyang, 110819, Liaoning, China

    Xiaozhen Liu, Youjian Yang, Zhaowen Wang, Wenju Tao & Tuofu Li

  3. Shenyang Aluminum and Magnesium Engineering and Research Institute Co. Ltd., Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China

    Zhibin Zhao

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  1. Xiaozhen Liu
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Correspondence to Zhaowen Wang.

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Liu, X., Yang, Y., Wang, Z. et al. CFD Modeling of Alumina Diffusion and Distribution in Aluminum Smelting Cells. JOM 71, 764–771 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-018-3260-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-018-3260-y

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