Abstract: Based on the basic theory of magnetohydrodynamics,the current field in an aluminum reduction cell is calculated using an equivalent resistance method(ERM) and a finite element method(FEM).The magnetic field in alumium reduction cells is calculated using a scalar voltage potential method and a two scalar magnetic potential method.The flow field in aluminum reduction cells is calculated using a two equation k-ε model.A comparison of measured and calculated results in a 200 kA aluminum reduction cell shows good agreement.It is found that the horizontal magnetic field forms a clockwise whirlpool and the vertical magnetic field presents an antisymmetry distribution.The flow field in aluminum reduction cells presents four whirlpools along the X axis.The errors of the magnetic field and the flow field are less than 10.0% and 5.0%,respectively.

Key words: aluminum reduction cell, magnetohydrodynamics, electric field, magnetic field, flow field