Impact of using selective collector bar rodding on the MHD stability of a 500 kA aluminium electrolysis cell

This study investigates the impact of using selective collector bar rodding on the MHD stability of a 500 kA aluminium electrolysis cell. The objective is to analyze how selective rodding influences the uniformity of the current density at the cathode block surface and its effects on horizontal currents in the metal pad. A recently developed MHD package specifically designed for the time-dependent behavior of aluminium reduction cells is employed as the primary methodology. The findings reveal that the use of selective collector bars significantly improves current density uniformity, thereby reducing horizontal currents within the metal pad. This enhancement leads to better MHD stability, particularly beneficial for end-of-line cells where stability issues are more pronounced. The study confirms that adopting a selective rodding pattern can mitigate cell noise and increase overall operational stability, marking a notable improvement in the management of aluminium electrolysis processes.