Abstract
Anode changes cause strong recurring disturbances of the Hall-Héroult process during smelter operations. Depending on its position, each anode change triggers a specific redistribution of anode currents. This pushes the cell into a different magnetohydrodynamic regime with a changed metal/melt flow behavior and metal pad deformation. We have combined a magnetohydrodynamic model based on computational fluid dynamics (MHD-CFD) with an equivalent electric circuit cell model (EECCM) to account for the dynamic coupling between magnetic field, metal/melt flow, metal pad shape, and anode current distribution. The model integrates all dominant resistance contributions and allows cell voltage drop or anode–cathode distance (ACD) to be calibrated through simulated anode beam movements. Based on numerical results, cell responses from individual anode current changes and their effect on cell stability are evaluated. Predicted individual anode currents shortly before and after anode replacements are compared with measurement data and found to be in good agreement.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Wang Q, Gosselin L, Fafard M, Peng J, Li B (2016) Numerical investigation on the impact of anode change on heat transfer and fluid flow in aluminum smelting cells. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B 47B, 1228–1236.
Kolås S, McIntosh P, Solheim A (2015). High frequency measurements of current through individual anodes: Some results from measurement campaigns at Hydro. TMS Light Metals 2015, 729–734
Hua J, Droste C, Einarsrud KE, Rudshaug M, Jorgensen R, Giskeodegard NH (2014). Revised benchmark problem for modelling of metal flow and metal heaving in reduction cells, TMS Light Metals 2014, 691–695.
Hua J, Rudshaug M, Droste C, Jorgensen R, Giskeodegard NH (2016). Modelling of metal flow and metal pad heaving in a realistic reference aluminium reduction cell. TMS Light Metals 2016, 339–344.
Hua J, Rudshaug M, Droste C, Jorgensen R, Giskeodegard NH (2018). Numerical simulation of multiphase magnetohydrodynamic flow and deformation of electrolyte–metal Interface in aluminum electrolysis cells. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B 49B, 1246–1266.
Gusberti V, Severo DS, Schneider AF, Pinto ECV, Vilela ACF, (2007) Modelling the effect of the anode change sequence with a non-linear shallow water stability model. TMS Light Metals 2007.
Bojarevics V, Evans W. (2015) Mathematical modelling of Hall-Héroult pot instability and verification by measurement of anode current distribution. TMS Light Metals 2015, 783–788.
Wang YL, Tie J, Tu GF, Sun SC, Zhao RT, Zhang ZF., (2015). Effect of gas bubble on cell voltage oscillations based on equivalent circuit simulation in aluminum electrolysis cell. Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 25, 335−344.
Thonstad J, Hove E., (1964) On the anodic overvoltage in aluminum electrolysis. Canadian J. of Chemistry 42, 1542–1550.
Acknowledgements
The present work was supported by the project “INFUTURE – Hydro Aluminium Innovations for Profitable and Sustainable Future” financed by the Research Council of Norway, Institute for Energy Technology and Hydro Aluminium Metal Technology and Operational Support. Additional support was provided by ENOVA for the development and testing of the IACM technology in Hydro’s Sunndal smelter.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2024 The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society
About this paper
Cite this paper
Hua, J., Beckstein, P., Manger, E., Kolås, S., Jensen, Ø., Marholm, S. (2024). Numerical Modeling of Anode Changes and Their Effect on Current Distribution and Magnetohydrodynamic Behavior of an Aluminium Reduction Cell. In: Wagstaff, S. (eds) Light Metals 2024. TMS 2024. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-50308-5_61
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-50308-5_61
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-50307-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-50308-5
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceChemistry and Material Science (R0)