Magnesium chloride electrolysis

Oyster shells or other seashells are calcined in a kiln to produce calcium oxide, which when added to seawater precipitates magnesium ion as magnesium hydroxide.This is neutralized with hydrochloric acid to give magnesium chloride. Electrolysis of molten MgClj yields magnesium metal and chlorine. Hydrochloric acid can be recovered by burning the chlorine with natural gas. 

By the electrolysis of fused magnesium chloride or fused sodium chloride. 

The metal is now principally obtained in the U.S. by electrolysis of fused magnesium chloride derived from brines, wells, and sea water. 

Russian Process Technology. Magnesium production ia the former Soviet Union is apparently done via molten chloride electrolysis (29,30). The basic process uses camaOite [1318-27-0], MgCl2 KCl 6H20, either from natural deposits or as a by-product of processiag natural salt deposits, as its... 

Magnesium is reduced from a mixture of magnesium, calcium, and sodium chlorides. Electrolysis from aqueous solution is also possible zinc, copper, and manganese dissolved as sulfates in water can be reduced electrolytically from aqueous solution. 

Preparation. Magnesium is obtained by electrolysis of magnesium chloride melts or by metallothermic reduction of magnesium oxide. 

Calculate the mass of magnesium that can he plated onto the cathode hy the electrolysis of molten magnesium chloride, using a current of 3.65 A for 55.0 min. 

Magnesium chloride ((MgCy is mostly obtained from saltwater and has many uses, including as the source of magnesium metal during electrolysis, as a catalyst, and in the making of ceramics, lubricants, paper and textiles, and disinfectants. 

FIGURE 12.18 A schematic diagram of the electrolytic cell used in the Dow process for magnesium. The electrolyte is molten magnesium chloride. As the current generated by the external source passes through the cell, reduction occurs at the cathode and oxidation at the anode. The products of the electrolysis are magnesium metal and chlorine gas. 

Magnesium metal is produced by the electrolysis of molten magnesium chloride using inert electrodes. 

Magnesium. The method most widely used in the production of magnesium involves the electrolysis of fused magnesium chloride in an iron vessel (the walls of which serve as the cathode) in which anodes made of carbon are suspended. The magnesium liberated at the cathode is lighter than the electrolyte and therefore rises to the surface, where it is removed mechanically. 

Magnesium can be made by several methods (Fig. 1), but the most common method of manufacture is by the electrolytic process, as for example the electrolysis of magnesium chloride. 

In the process used by Norsk Hydro, magnesium hydroxide extracted from seawater with the aid of calcined dolomite is mixed with charcoal and magnesium chloride brine and is heated to 1000-1200°C in the presence of chlorine produced during subsequent electrolysis of magnesium chloride. The main reactions are [266]... 

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