Effect of electromagnetic force on turbulent flow of molten metal in aluminum electrolysis cells

Abstract

The standard k-ε model was adopted to simulate the flow field of molten metal in three aluminum electrolysis cells with different anode risers. The Hartman number, Reynolds number and the turbulent Reynolds number of molten metal were calculated quantitatively. The turbulent Reynolds number is in the order of 10³, and Reynolds number is in the order of 10⁴ if taking the depth of molten metal as the characteristic length. The results show that the molten metal flow is the turbulence of high Reynolds number, the turbulent Reynolds number is more appropriate than Reynolds number to be used to describe the turbulent characteristic of molten metal, and Hartman number displays very well that electromagnetic force inhibits turbulent motion of molten metal.

Keywords

aluminum electrolysis cell / electromagnetic force / Reynolds number / turbulent Reynolds number / Hartman number / numerical simulation