About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Aluminum Reduction Technology
|
| Presentation Title |
Study of alumina raft dissolution and desintegration using schlieren imagery |
| Author(s) |
Théo Potvin, Lukas Dion, Thomas Roger, László Kiss, Sébastien Guérard, Jean-François Bilodeau, Guillaume Bonneau, Martin Truchon |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Théo Potvin |
| Abstract Scope |
In the Hall-Héroult process for primary aluminum production, alumina is continuously injected into molten cryolite. Heat and mass transfer within the powder lead to the formation of alumina rafts at the bath-gas interface. These rafts disintegrate and dissolve within minutes after injection, but the extreme thermal and corrosive conditions make direct observation nearly impossible, even in laboratory settings. To address this, an experimental setup using Schlieren imaging was developed. This technique visualizes density variations caused by concentration and temperature gradients in fluids. By injecting alumina onto molten cryolite, we were able to observe the progressive disintegration of the rafts, flow disturbances induced by the injection, and the dynamics of the dissolution boundary layer. This method provides valuable data for validating numerical models and deepening the understanding of alumina raft behavior. Improved control of these mechanisms could enhance process efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and lower greenhouse gas emissions in aluminum production. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Light Metals |
| Keywords |
Aluminum, |