A modelling approach to estimate bath and metal heat transfer coefficients

Abstract

Heat transfer coefficients between the cell cavity and the liquids (bath and metal) are important parameters for correct thermal calculations of the electrolytic cell behavior. Traditionally, the wall heat transfer coefficients are adjusted with help of thermal measurements done in operating cells. However, this procedure cannot be done in a new project. The present work aims to show numerical procedures for estimation of the local heat transfer coefficients, at the liquid bath and metal regions, independent of previous measurements. The influence of interpolar distance, anode-ledge channel width, interanode channels width, anode width, anode slots and anode immersion depth as well the anode current density on heat transfer coefficients are investigated by numerical experiments.