Introduction to Aluminum Electrolysis

Introduction to Aluminum Electrolysis

This course has been cancelled and will not be held at TMS2024. Learn about additional programming and activities related to light metals at TMS2024 here.

This one-day course will cover basic topics related to using the AlSem tools for aluminum electrolysis. It is ideal for anyone who wants to understand the theoretical background of the aluminum electrolysis process.

Topics will include:

• Principles of the Hall-Héroult-Process: Gain a description of the typical features of the electrolytic cells of an aluminum plant.
• Mass Balance: Learn about relations for the theoretical and practical production of aluminum and cell gases and the consumption of alumina and carbon.
• Properties of the Electrolyte: This portion of the course gives relations for the essential physical properties of the electrolyte like liquidus temperature, electrical conductivity, density, viscosity, and surface properties.
• Cell Voltage: Learn about the different components of the cell voltage inside (ohmic and electrochemical) and outside (busbars) of the electrolysis cell.
• Energy Balance: The amount of energy is determined to produce aluminum from aluminum oxide. The energy which is not needed for the electrolytic production of aluminum is lost as heat. Relationships are given to calculate the amount of this heat loss
• Current Efficiency: In the course of the smelting process, already-produced aluminum is lost. The reasons are discussed.

Instructor

Marc Dupuis, GeniSim Inc.