文献类型：期刊文献

中文题名：30 kA锂电解槽电热场数值模拟及工艺参数优化研究

英文题名：Numerical Simulation of Electric Field and Optimization of Process Parameters for 30 kA Lithium Electrolyzer

作者：孙滨强[1];赵倩文[1];刘程琳[1];孙泽[1]

机构：[1]华东理工大学,国家盐湖资源综合利用工程技术研究中心,上海200237

年份：2026

卷号：16

期号：2

起止页码：258

中文期刊名：有色金属(中英文)

外文期刊名：Nonferrous Metals

收录：;北大核心:【北大核心2023】；

基金：国家自然科学基金资助项目(U24A20560);国家自然科学基金重大研究计划资助项目(92475207)。

语种：中文

中文关键词：锂电解槽;电热场分析;COMSOL;仿真计算;参数优化

外文关键词：lithium electrolyzer;electrothermal field analysis;COMSOL;simulation calculations;parameters optimization

摘要：熔盐电解是制备金属锂最主要的技术,工业上大型锂电解槽的热量平衡是影响其运行周期的关键。本研究采用有限元COMSOL软件建立了30 kA锂电解槽三维电热场耦合计算模型,对比工业运行数据,验证了模型的准确性。基于验证后的模型,系统研究了电流强度、电解质溶液面高度、环境温度、电解质电导率、阳极半径、阴阳极间距及阴极高度等多个工艺和结构参数对锂电解槽热量平衡的影响。研究结果表明,电流强度是影响热量产生的主要因素,而环境温度和电解质溶液面高度则显著影响散热量。研究结果为大型锂电解槽的设计优化和工艺参数调控提供了重要的理论依据。
Temperature distribution is one of the most critical factors for ensuring the stable and efficient operation of molten salt electrolyzers.The degree of thermal balance directly determines the service life,operational stability,and energy efficiency of the electrolyzer.If the temperature inside the electrolyzer is too low,electrochemical reactions cannot proceed properly,leading to reduced metal yield and unstable current efficiency.Conversely,excessive temperature can result in thermal runaway phenomena such as electrolyte boiling,metal combustion,and severe heat loss,ultimately reducing current efficiency and accelerating structural degradation.Joule heating generated by the passage of electric current serves as the principal heat source in molten salt electrolysis,while the temperature in turn affects the physical and electrical properties of materials such as electrodes,electrolytes,and cell walls.Therefore,strong coupling exists between the electric and thermal fields,which together determine the overall heat balance condition of the electrolyzer.Understanding this coupling relationship and its dependence on process parameters is of fundamental importance for the optimization and stable control of lithium electrolysis processes.To reveal the thermal balance mechanism of large-scale lithium electrolyzers and to provide theoretical guidance for structural design and process optimization,a three-dimensional coupled electro-thermal model of a 30 kA industrial lithium electrolyzer was developed using COMSOL Multiphysics.The model was constructed based on the Electric Currents and Heat Transfer in Solids and Fluids interfaces,which allow the simultaneous solution of potential and temperature fields.Multiple heat transfer mechanisms—including thermal conduction,natural and forced convection,and surface radiation—were comprehensively considered to represent the complex thermal environment inside the electrolyzer.To validate the model's reliability,simulated results such as electric potential and temperature distributions were compared with measured industrial data,demonstrating good agreement.On this basis,the effects of key process and structural parameters—including current intensity,electrolyte surface height,ambient temperature,electrolyte conductivity,anode radius,anode-cathode spacing,and cathode height—on the heat generation,heat dissipation,and thermal balance characteristics of the electrolyzer were systematically investigated.Simulation results indicate that current intensity is the dominant parameter affecting the total heat generation in the system.As the current increases,Joule heat rises quadratically,resulting in a noticeable elevation of the overall temperature.In contrast,higher electrolyte conductivity reduces internal resistance and consequently decreases heat generation.Decreasing the anode radius and enlarging the anode-cathode spacing lead to more uneven current distribution and higher localized current densities,which significantly increase heat production.Moreover,the relationship between the maximum allowable current intensity at thermal equilibrium and the electrode spacing follows a quadratic trend,suggesting that excessive spacing sharply limits current capacity under stable thermal conditions.Increasing the cathode height decreases the bulk current density within the electrolyte,leading to a reduction in total heat generation,while the total heat dissipation remains almost independent of anode radius,electrode spacing,and cathode height.The ambient temperature strongly influences heat dissipation:a greater temperature difference between the electrolyzer and the external environment enhances overall heat loss.Similarly,a higher electrolyte surface level expands the heat dissipation area,thus increasing the total heat flux from the system.These results comprehensively reveal that the thermal balance of a lithium electrolyzer is jointly controlled by internal electrical heating and external cooling conditions.Comprehensive analysis shows that rational adjustment of operating current,optimization of structural parameters,and effective control of environmental heat exchange are decisive factors for maintaining the self-heat balance of molten salt electrolyzers.Specifically,maintaining appropriate current intensity within the safe thermal range minimizes excessive heating,while optimizing anode and cathode geometry enhances uniform current distribution and stable temperature gradients.Adjusting the electrolyte level and managing the ambient temperature further help in achieving dynamic thermal equilibrium during long-term operation.This study not only clarifies the mechanism of electro-thermal coupling and heat balance formation in large-scale lithium electrolyzers but also identifies the dominant physical parameters that govern their stability.The findings provide a reliable theoretical foundation and engineering reference for future work on structural optimization,energy consumption reduction,and process parameter regulation of industrial lithium electrolysis systems.Ultimately,the developed model and derived insights contribute to improving electrolyzer design,prolonging equipment lifetime,and promoting the development of efficient,low-energy,and sustainable lithium extraction technologies.