Abstract
Coupled electro-thermal field exists widely in chemical batteries and electrolysis industry. In this study, a three-dimensional numerical model, which is based on the finite-element software ANSYS, has been built to simulate the electro-thermal field in a magnesium electrolysis cell. The adjustment of the relative position of the anode and cathode can change the energy consumption of the magnesium electrolysis process significantly. Besides, the current intensity has a nonlinear effect on heat balance, and the effects of heat transfer coefficients, electrolysis and air temperature on the heat balance have been released to maintain the thermal stability in a magnesium electrolysis cell. The relationship between structure as well as process parameters and electro-thermal field has been obtained and the simulation results can provide experience for the scale-up design in liquid metal batteries.
Highlights
With the large-scale deployment of renewable energy sources, massive and cheap electricity storage becomes indispensable because the major part of renewable electricity generation is inherently fluctuating
The original liquid battery begins with advances resulting in the development of the three-liquid-layer Hoopes cell at the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) in the 1920s for
The electro-thermal field distribution is closely related to the heat balance, the energy consumption and lifespan of the cell [13]
Summary
With the large-scale deployment of renewable energy sources, massive and cheap electricity storage becomes indispensable because the major part of renewable electricity generation (solar, wind) is inherently fluctuating. The complex coupling relationship between the six physical fields will have a direct impact on the current efficiency, energy consumption and lifespan of the magnesium electrolysis cell These conditions have to be considered carefully at the beginning of designing a magnesium electrolysis cell. Among these factors, the electro-thermal field distribution is closely related to the heat balance, the energy consumption and lifespan of the cell [13]. With the help of finite-element software ANSYS, the effects of cell structure and operation parameters (current intensity, electrolysis temperature, ambient temperature, ACD, cell voltage, etc.) on thermal balance of magnesium electrolysis cell have been simulated in a three-dimensional model. Through analysing the thermal field distribution in the anode, cathode and other parts of the actual 120 kA magnesium electrolysis cell, the results of the study are useful to designing and optimizing magnesium electrolysis cells and benefit to the scale-up design of LMBs to a certain extent
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