3D FEM calculation of Lorentz force field in 300 kA aluminum electrolysis cells

The mathematical models of the 300 kA Al electrolysis cell are established by ANSYS for the Lorentz force field calculation. The results show the Lorentz force density (LFD) located the interface of melt in X, Y, Z direction varied almost from -100 to 100 N/m³, from -200 to 200 N/m³, and from -200 to 200 N/m³, respectively. The LFD located the liquid Al in X, Y, Z direction varied from -100 to 100 N/m³, from -200 to 200 N/m³, and from -400 to 400 N/m³, respectively. The LFD located the electrolyte in X, Y, Z direction varied from -1000 to 1000 N/m³, from -5000 to 5000 N/m³, and from -1000 to 1000 N/m³, respectively. It reveals the instability is governed by the distribution pattern of the vertical component of the magnetic field. An alteration to a prototype 300 kA cell bus configuration led to an improvement in pad stability. The calculation of Lorentz force field gives a significant reference on the optimization design of the Al electrolysis cell.