Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Effect of Some Operating Variables on Flow in Aluminum Reduction Cells

  • Extractive Metallurgy
  • Published:
JOM Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The significant effects of current distribution and magnetic field on reduction cell operation have been recognized for many years. The current distribution and magnetic field are determined partly by the design of the cell and partly by operating variables, such as anode current distribution, condition of the cathode bottom, and the influence of adjacent cells. Recent work has been done on design considerations for stable cell operation but very little on cell operation under conditions other than ideal.

A model to calculate fluid flow in aluminum reduction cells has been used to determine the effects of cell design and operating variables for a prototype 185 kA cell. The effects of non-ideal magnetic fields or current distribution, caused for example by complex steel effects, anode change or mis-set anodes, have been calculated. The calculations are compared with flows measured in the prototype cell.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. E. D. Tarapore, “Magnetic Fields in Aluminum Reduction Cells and Their Influences on Metal Pad Circulation,” Light Metals 1979, Vol. 1, The Metallurgical Society, Warrendale, Pennsylvania, 1979, pp. 541–550.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Th. Sele, “Computer Model for Magnetic Fields in Electrolytic Cells Including the Effect of Steel Parts,” Met. Trans., 5B (1974), pp. 2145–2150.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. R. F. Robl, “Influence by Steel Shell on Magnetic Fields within Hall-Héroult Cells,” Light Metals 1978, Vol. 1, The Metallurgical Society, Warrendale, Pennsylvania, 1978, pp. 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  4. D. Sharma, “Details of an Efficient Computational Procedure for the Prediction of Convective Heat, Mass and Momentum Transfers,” Report ATG/TN/DN/41, Advanced Technology Group, Dames and Moore, Denver, Colorado.

  5. A. R. Johnson, “Metal Pad Velocity Measurements in Aluminum Reduction Cells,” Light Metals 1978, Vol. 1, The Metallurgical Society, Warrendale, Pennsylvania, 1978, pp. 45–48.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. E. D. Tarapore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Erach D. Tarapore, Staff Research Engineer, Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corporation, 2401 Alexander Avenue, Tacoma, Washington 98421.

Dr. Tarapore received his B-Tech (Hons.) from the I. I. T. Bombay, India in 1972 and his MS and PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. As part of the Process Development Group of Kaiser Aluminum at Permanente, California he worked in many areas of aluminum reduction technology. He has developed a mathematical model to study electromagnetic effects in aluminum reduction cells and applied the results to improve cell design. Recently he has joined the Modernization group at Tacoma.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tarapore, E.D. The Effect of Some Operating Variables on Flow in Aluminum Reduction Cells. JOM 34, 50–55 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03339112

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03339112

Keywords

Search

Navigation