Application of nonequilibrium thermodynamics to aluminum electrolysis cells
- Univ. of Trondheim (Norway)
- Univ. of Leiden (Netherlands). Dept. of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry
Some implications of the use of non-equilibrium thermodynamics on aluminum electrolysis cells are investigated. The anode coal is chosen as a typical example of the bulk materials, while the cathode surface is used as an example of the surfaces. It is first shown that the coupling between transport of heat and charge may have a significant influence on the electric potential profile through the anode coal, while the temperature profile seems to be less influenced. For the cathode surface, the theoretical expression for the dissipated energy is derived. Both vectorial and scalar contributions are presented, but only implications of the scalar parts are emphasized. Furthermore, the theory predicts apparent discontinuities in intensive variables, such as temperature or magnetic fields, at the surfaces. The main difficulty in using non-equilibrium thermodynamics, lies in the estimation of the surface properties, hence experimental work is necessary to develop the theory further.
- OSTI ID:
- 371954
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960202-; ISBN 0-87339-312-0; TRN: IM9641%%31
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Annual meeting and exhibition of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS), Anaheim, CA (United States), 4-8 Feb 1996; Other Information: PBD: 1996; Related Information: Is Part Of Light metals 1996; Hale, W. [ed.] [Anglesey Aluminum Metal Ltd., North Wales (United Kingdom)]; PB: 1304 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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