CURRENT DISTRIBUTION IN ALUMINUM ELECTROLYSIS CELLS WITH SODERBERG ANODES .1. EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY AND ESTIMATED OF ANODE CONSUMPTION

A voltage probe was used to determine the current distribution along t he sides of the anodes in commercial Soderberg aluminium cells. The cu rrent density decreased in the upward direction along the side of the anode from 0.8 A cm(-2) on the working face to 0.15-0.28 A cm(-2) near the surface of the bath. It was estimated that only 5%-10% of the car bon dust formed in Soderberg cells was generated at the side of the an ode, and the rest came from the working face of the anode. About 5% of the total anode consumption took place on the side of the anode, of w hich similar to 3% was caused by air-burning above the bath (electroly te) level.