Development of a 2D+ dynamic model of an aluminum reduction cell

This paper presents the development of a program aimed at modeling the dynamic behavior of an aluminum reduction cell, specifically focusing on the electrolysis process. The objective was to enhance the understanding of cell behavior through simulation by solving heat and mass balance equations while considering operator events such as metal taping and anode changes. A novel finite elements-based 2D+ thermal model is introduced to address the heat balance equation with greater rigor, and the dynamic thermal response of this model is contrasted with a simpler, faster 1D version. The methodology includes comparative analysis of execution times between the two models. Results indicate that the more sophisticated thermal model provides a more accurate simulation of the cell's dynamic responses, particularly during rare extreme events such as prolonged power loss, where the thermal mass effect of the cell lining becomes significant. This work represents a key advancement towards developing a comprehensive 'multi-physics' unified model, which could ultimately enhance operational efficiency and design accuracy for aluminum reduction cells.