Numerical Investigation of the Thermal Baking Method for Start-Up Aluminum Electrolytic Cell

k-ε turbulent model and discrete radiant intension method is used to numerical investigate the temperature and flow field of the Thermal Baking Method for start-up aluminum electrolytic cell. Present investigation is based on the assumption of the absorption coefficient of radiation is not affected by turbulent and temperature variation of flue gas which is of up to 1200 °C. The source term of the energy equation is discretized using Discrete Radiation Intension Method, and the controlling equations are solved at SIMPLER algorithm. The results reveal that when the aluminum electrolytic cell is heated at low heat load at the very beginning stage, it would cause relative high temperature gradients (197°C between jets and the edge of cell). At higher heat load, the temperature field becomes more uniform. At the final stage of the thermal baking, the temperature gradient falls to 30 °C/m; it satisfies the start-up technology of aluminum electrolytic cell. The numerical results agreed with industrial experimental results very well.