Energy Balance of the Chinese Aluminum Electrolysis Cell

Based on operation state analysis and energy balance testing of more than 300 aluminum electrolysis cells in the recent five years, the energy balance characteristics of cells in China was studied. It was shown that the operation state of the aluminum electrolysis cell determined the heat dissipation. A cell with a good operation state had low energy consumption, the total heat dissipation was relatively small, and energy utilization efficiency was high. For a cell with a good operation state, the regional heat dissipation distribution was good. The excess voltage needed due to the total heat dissipation of a good operating cell was below 1.72 V, and energy utilization efficiency reached above 50%. The regional heat dissipation distribution of a medium performing operation state cell was fairly good, the total heat dissipation voltage was between 1.72–1.82 V, and energy utilization efficiency was 49–50%. Cells with poor operation state generally had a large heat dissipation zone, and the total heat dissipation voltage reached above 1.82 V and energy utilization efficiency was below 49%. This research can provide reference values for energy consumption evaluation of aluminum electrolysis cells and further reduce energy consumption.