Modeling studies of electrolyte flow and bubble behavior in advanced Hall cells
Much research has been carried out in recent years by corporations and university/government labs. On materials for use in advanced Hall-Heroult cells. Attention has focussed on materials for use as wettable cathodes and inert anodes and much has been achieved in terms of material development. Comparatively less attention has been devoted to how these materials might be incorporated in new or existing cells, i.e., to how the cells should be designed and redesigned, to take full advantage of these materials. The present paper describes an effort, supported by the US Department of Energy, to address this issue. The primary objectives are cell design where electrolyte flow can be managed so as to promote both the removal of the anode gas bubbles and the convection of dissolved alumina in the inter-electrode region, under conditions where the anode-cathode distance is small. The principal experimental tool has been a water'' model consisting of a large tank in which simulated anodes can be suspended in either the horizontal or vertical configurations. Gas generation'' was by forcing compressed air through porous graphite and the fine bubbles characteristic of inert anodes were produced by adding butanol to the water. Velocities were measured using a laser Doppler velocimeter. Velocity measurements with two different anode designs -- one that is flat and the other that has grooves -- are presented. The results show that the electrode configuration has a significant effect on the fluid flow pattern in the inter-electrode region. Furthermore, this study shows that rapid fluid flow is obtained when the cell is operated with a submerged anode. 4 refs., 12 figs.
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Berkeley, CA (USA). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE/CE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-76ID01570
- OSTI ID:
- 7247366
- Report Number(s):
- EGG-M-89453; CONF-900206-5; ON: DE90007013
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 119. TMS (The Minerals, Metals Metallurgical Society) annual meeting and exhibit, Anaheim, CA (USA), 18-22 Feb 1990
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Physical modeling studies of electrolyte flow due to gas evolution and some aspects of bubble behavior in advanced Hall cells; Part 2: Flow and interpolar resistance in cells with a grooved anode
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Related Subjects
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
ALUMINIUM
PRODUCTION
ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
PERFORMANCE TESTING
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
BUBBLES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COST
DESIGN
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTRODES
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
FLUID FLOW
FORECASTING
HEAT TRANSFER
INTERFACES
LASERS
LAYERS
MATERIALS TESTING
MEASURING METHODS
OPTIMIZATION
SMELTING
VELOCITY
VERIFICATION
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER
METALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
TESTING
360101* - Metals & Alloys- Preparation & Fabrication
320303 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes
400400 - Electrochemistry