| This thesis focuses on the minimisation of the potential drop in the anodic connectors of the Alcoa-Lauralco smelter using the Finite Element Method (FEM).; First, the electrical and thermal behaviour of the cast iron to carbon interface had to be characterised. Then, a numerical model of an anodic connector had to be built, validated and calibrated.; A coupled numerical/experimental approach was taken: the results from a simple yet carefully controlled apparatus were compared with that of a finite element model to choose or develop the interfacial constitutive laws.; A detailed submodel of an anodic connector was then built, with its boundary conditions interpolated from a global validated anode model.; Finally, the validated and calibrated anodic connector submodel was used to study different geometries. Several simulations were performed and some promising designs were identified. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
