Model Experiments of Heat Transfer Coefficients Between Bath and Side Ledge in Aluminum Cells

The study investigates the heat transfer coefficients between the bath and the side ledge in aluminum cells, emphasizing the impact of various factors on heat transfer performance. The objective is to understand how gas flow rate (GF), anode immersion depth (AI), and anode/side-ledge distance (ALD) influence the heat transfer coefficient (hb). A low-temperature model cell, designed to simulate the conditions in industrial cells, was employed for the experiments, allowing for direct measurements of hb under controlled settings. The experimental results revealed that hb can be expressed through a relationship depending on the product of GF and AI divided by ALD, fitting the equation hb ex (GF.AI/ALD) 0.42. The findings indicate that hb values derived from model experiments (ranging from 250 to 600 W/m²/°K) are consistent with practical applications in industrial aluminum cells. The study contributes to the existing knowledge by suggesting a method to calculate hb when gas-induced flow is coupled with horizontal flow, enhancing the understanding of thermal dynamics in aluminum electrolysis. This research underlines the importance of accurately assessing heat transfer mechanisms to ensure operational stability and efficiency in aluminum production.