Kinetics of alumina dissolution in aluminium electrolysis cells

本建议旨在进一步加深对铝电解槽氧化铝溶解过程的了解，以提高操作稳定性和更好的能源效率。预期的改善为更好地控制原铝生产期间的温室气体排放提供了潜力。拟议与力拓加拿大铝业(RTA)的合作研究，旨在更好地控制氧化铝分布的空间和时间变化。该项目建立在前五年NSERC-RTA合作研究成果的基础上，题为“铝电解槽中氧化铝溶解和侧壁行为的研究”。在该项目中，我们扩展了关于氧化铝在工业电池中溶解的性质和机理的基础知识，并确定了进一步研究的方向。采用实验方法和数学模型相结合的方法对氧化铝加料过程进行研究。之前的合作研究项目帮助组建了一支非常高效的团队，成员来自学术界(UQAC和巴黎理工大学)和RTA(法国Arvida研发中心和实验室)，具有互补的专业知识。原铝行业是加拿大经济中非常重要的行业。加拿大冶炼厂在能源效率和对环境的低影响方面在世界范围内名列前茅。RTA是第三大初级金属生产商，也是一家技术领先者。预期的结果将有助于加拿大铝业在日益激烈的国际竞争中保持领先地位。

The present proposal aims at the further deepening of understanding of the alumina dissolution process in aluminum electrolysis cells in order to improve operational stability and better energy efficiency. The expected improvements offer the potential of a better control of greenhouse gas emissions during primary aluminum production. The proposed collaborative research with Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA), aims at the better control of spatial and temporal variations of the alumina distribution. The project builds upon the results of the previous five-year NSERC-RTA collaborative research, titled "Study of Alumina Dissolution and Side-ledge Behaviour in Aluminium Electrolysis Cells". In that project we extended the fundamental knowledge about the nature and mechanisms of alumina dissolution in industrial cells and we identified the directions of further research. Experimental methods and mathematical modeling will be both used to study the alumina feeding process. The previous cooperative research project helped to forge a very efficient team, with competent members with complementary expertise both from academia (UQAC and École Polytechnique) and RTA (Arvida Research and Development Center and Laboratoire de Recherches des Fabrications, en France).The primary aluminum industry represents a very important sector in the Canadian economy. The Canadian smelters excel worldwide in their energy efficiency and low environmental impact. RTA, the third biggest producer of primary metal is also a technology leader. The expected results will help the Canadian aluminum industry to keep its leading position in the increasingly stronger international competition.