Impact of the Usage of a Slotted Cathode

The horizontal current in a metal pad of an aluminum reduction cell significantly impacts the fluctuations of the metal pad. This study presents a novel approach using a slotted cathode carbon block aimed at reducing the horizontal current in the cell. Employing the finite-element method, the effects of the slotted cathode carbon block were analyzed, with a focus on the horizontal and vertical currents in the metal pad, cathode voltage, and temperature distribution. Findings indicate that incorporating the slotted cathode can reduce the maximum horizontal current density by 50.4% when the slot length is set to 400 mm. However, it was observed that the cathode voltage in the configuration with the slotted cathode was approximately 43 mV higher than that in traditional cells, and temperature readings in the slotted cathode scenario were slightly elevated compared to conventional carbon cells. Additionally, as the slot length increased, both the maximum horizontal and vertical currents shifted towards the cell center. The results of this investigation could serve as a foundational resource for understanding the implications of employing a slotted cathode carbon block on the performance of aluminum reduction cells.