MAGNESIUM PRODUCTION FROM ASIAN ABE-GARM DOLOMITE IN PIDGEON-TYPE REACTOR

Abstract: Ore mineral characterization and various experimental testwork were carried out on Asian Abe-Garm dolomite, Qazvin province, Iran. The testwork consisted of calcining, chemical characterization, LOI determination, and reduction tests on the calcined dolomite (doloma), using Semnan ferrosilicon. Calcining of dolomite sample was carried out at about ۱۴۰۰ ºC in order to remove the contained CO۲, moisture, and other easily volatilised impurities. The doloma was milled, thoroughly mixed with ۲۱% Semnan ferrosilicon and briquetted in hand press applying ۳۰ MPa pressure. The briquettes were heated at ۱۱۲۵-۱۱۵۰ ºC and ۵۰۰Pa in a Pidgeon-type tube reactor for ۱۰-۱۲ hours to extract the magnesium. Ferrosilicon addition, relative to doloma, was determined based on the chemical analyses of the two reactants using Mintek’s Pyrosim software package. Magnesium extraction calculated as ۷۷.۹۷% and Mg purity of ۹۶.۳۵%. The level of major impurities in the produced magnesium crown is similar to those in the crude metal production.

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Keywords: Mg metal , Pidgeon process , Asian Abe-Garm dolomite , Semnan ferrosilicon , Calcining , Silicothermic , reduction.