MODELLING THERMAL DYNAMIC RESPONSE TO A 3-HOUR TOTAL POWER SHUTDOWN EVENT

The aluminium electrolysis process is an energy-intensive alumina reduction process which is increasingly burdened by high energy costs. This situation suggests that power could become a trading asset for the aluminium industry. Certain power contracts currently stipulate conditions for power supply reduction and buyback, necessitating careful consideration of pot technology compatibility to prevent long-term harm to pot life despite potential short-term gains in the power market. To explore the thermal and chemical impacts during power cutback or modulation, a dynamic lump model was utilized as a cell simulator, allowing predictions of pot behavior based on a 3-hour shutdown measurement. Following calibration of the thermal and chemical responses within the model, it demonstrated good alignment with measurement data, facilitating investigations into temperature evolution, sludge formation, alumina solubility, and acidity changes during power shortages. This modeling tool enables the establishment of optimized pot settings and preparatory measures to mitigate sludging during power modulation and avoid anode effects post power recovery.