Mathematical model of cooling of a stopped pot and its validation

Mohamed I. Hassan, Ayoola T. Brimmo, M. O. Ibrahiem, Youssef Shatilla

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

In aluminum reduction pot technology, the potshell is used for several generations. After each shut down the potshell is cooled by free convection and radiation. This cooling takes from five to nine days depending on the surrounding temperature. Cooling by spraying water on the potlining is used in some aluminum plants; this reduces the cooling time to less than one day but this method can be harmful for the potshell and for the environment. The aim of this study is to develop a heat transfer model of the aluminum reduction pot in a free convection and radiation environment. A commercial finite element code (FEM), ANSYS®, was used to create the 3D model and solve both the steady state and transient temperature distribution. All material properties and heat transfer coefficients were modeled as functions of temperature. The solidification of aluminum at its phase transformation temperature was included in the model to investigate the behavior of the cooling curve of the various components of the pot during this phase change. The resulting cooling curves are in good agreement with experimental data. This model will be used to design an optimum pot cooling environment.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publicationLight Metals 2012 - At the TMS 2013 Annual Meeting and Exhibition
PublisherMinerals, Metals and Materials Society
Pages851-855
Number of pages5
EditionLight Metals 2013 - At the TMS 2013 Annual Meeting and Exhibi...
ISBN (Print)9781118605721
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
EventLight Metals 2012 - TMS 2013 Annual Meeting and Exhibition - San Antonio, TX, United States
Duration: 3 Mar 20137 Mar 2013

Publication series

NameTMS Light Metals
NumberLight Metals 2013 - At the TMS 2013 Annual Meeting and Exhibi...
ISSN (Print)0147-0809

Conference

ConferenceLight Metals 2012 - TMS 2013 Annual Meeting and Exhibition
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Antonio, TX
Period3/03/137/03/13

Keywords

  • Aluminum reduction pot
  • Potshell
  • Potshell cooling
  • Potshell modeling

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