Numerical model of aluminothermic reduction vessel preheating and charge heating with graphite heating rods
Sergey Semenov1, Patrick Namy1, Aditya Kale2
1SIMTEC, Grenoble, 38000, France.
Background:
The present work is conducted in the framework of the SisAl Pilot EU project, which aims to optimize silicon production in Europe by recycling materials and using carbon-emission-friendly technology. Silicon production experiments were conducted on laboratory and pilot scales in different types of furnaces, including reduction vessels used as chemical reactors for molten slag-metal mixtures. In addition to experimental work, process optimization also relies on numerical modelling.
Methods:
In this study, COMSOL Multiphysics® was used for numerical testing of new thermal and electrical designs of a reduction vessel by simulating its preheating and charge heating with three graphite heating rods powered by a three-phase alternating current transformer. A one-heating-rod design is also tested.
Results And Conclusions:
The model predicts that available electrical equipment is sufficient for preheating the empty reduction vessel up to 1600°C in less than 4 h. Owing to the model, the geometry of the heating rod was optimized to maintain its temperature below 2500°C. However, it was found that a modification of the electrical equipment would be required to heat the vessel charge with the heating rods submerged into it.
