Finite element analysis of thermo-electric coupled field in 400kA large-scale aluminum reduction cell

In order to apply non-grid-connected wind power to the aluminum electrolysis industry, it is necessary to describe and study characteristics of temperature field of present cell. In this paper, a thermo-electric mathematical model was built up by using ANSYS finite element analysis software, and the 3D coupled thermo-electric field of 400 kA aluminum electrolysis cell was analyzed. It is concluded that if applying non-grid-connected wind power to the large-scale industrial aluminum reduction cell, some structural improvement should be made in order to make thermo field more stability against current change. The results obtained provide a basis for the further structural improvement of the cell.