MHD Stability in Aluminium Electrolysis Cells – From Complex to Simple Analysis

Abstract

Numerical modelling has become a primary tool for design and optimization of commercial high amperage aluminium electrolysis cells. The design of industrial cells requires to account for a variety of their individual features: bus-bar network, cell bottom profile and side ledge, cathode bar design, ferromagnetic parts effect, operational adjustments due to the anode changes, etc. Analytical solutions in special cases provide benchmark tests and aid understanding of the basic physics. The commercial Trimet cell is analyzed using a simple theoretical, full numerical and advanced analytical problem solutions, which are compared with experimental measurements using wireless sensors to detect MHD instability onset.