Magneto-hydro-dynamic analysis of an electrolysis cell for aluminum production

An electrolytic cell for Aluminum production contains molten metal subject to high currents and magnetic flux density. The interaction between these t wo fields creates electromagnetic forces within the Liquid metal and can ge nerate oscillations of the fluid similar to the waves at the free surface o f oceans and rivers. The study of this phenomenon requires the simulation o f the current density held, of the magnetic flux density held and the solut ion of the equations of motion of the Liquid mass. An attempt to analyze th e dynamical behavior of this problem is made by coupling different codes, b ased on different numerical techniques, in a single tool. The simulations a re presented and discussed.