EFFECT OF INNOVATIVE CATHODE ON BATH/METAL INTERFACE FLUCTUATION IN ALUMINUM ELECTROLYTIC CELL

摘要

A three-dimensional transient magnetohydrodynamic model hasbeen developed to investigate the effect of innovative cathode oninterface fluctuation of bath/metal in aluminum electrolytic cell. Ahomogeneous multiphase flow model of three phases includingmolten aluminum (metal) and molten cryolite (bath) using thevolume of fluid (VOF) approach is used to describe phasesinteraction. Moreover, the electrical potential method is adoptedfor the electric current and magnetic field. The Electromagneticforce is recalculated at each time step and then is implemented inthe momentum equation of bath and metal as a source term. Thenthe mathematical model is employed to investigate the effect ofthe innovative cathode on the electric current, magnetic field, flowfield, and bath/metal interface fluctuation. The results show thatthe interface fluctuation would be suppressed with the help ofinnovative cathode. In addition, the gas bubbles also float up morequickly which is good to energy saving.