CFD Modeling of Alumina Diffusion and Distribution in Aluminum Smelting Cells

Excerpt

In aluminum smelting cells, alumina distribution and the time needed to reach concentration equilibrium after feeding are critical to smelting performance. The aim of this work is to build a numerical model to acquire the alumina distribution from the feeder to other areas and the time needed to reach the equilibrium. The model contains four flat anodes and the metal pad is not included. A square feeder is located at the intersection of the anode gaps and the central channel. Bubbles are injected into the model under the whole anode bottom and release at the gas-bath interface. When the bubble-driven flow field reaches steady state, alumina particles are fed into the model through the feeder, and dispersed alumina particles transported from the feeding zone to other areas with the flow field. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) model is used to track the CO₂ bubbles and the gas-bath interface; the Discrete Phase Model (DPM) is adopted to simulate the transport of alumina particles. The turbulent flow is solved by the standard k-ε model, and the effect of turbulent dispersion on particle trajectories is considered by stochastic tracking. This model is realized in ANSYS FLUENT. …