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The carbothermic route to magnesium

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Abstract

The carbothermic reduction of magnesia to produce magnesium offers the potential of a lower energy and higher productivity route for metal production compared to existing industrial routes. The reaction of magnesia and carbon produces a magnesium and carbon monoxide vapor. Slow cooling of that vapor will allow the reaction to quickly revert and the prevention of this reversion reaction is a major technical challenge. Two main approaches can be taken to prevent reversion and allow recovery of the metal product: rapid quenching of the vapor and dissolving the magnesium directly in a suitable metal solvent before reversion can occur. The commercial viability of either carbothermic route to magnesium is closely connected to the physical chemistry of each system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Minerals in Clayton, Victoria, Australia

    Geoffrey Brooks, Simon Trang, Peter Witt, M. N. H. Khan & Michael Nagle

Authors
  1. Geoffrey Brooks
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  2. Simon Trang
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  3. Peter Witt
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  4. M. N. H. Khan
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  5. Michael Nagle
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Brooks, G., Trang, S., Witt, P. et al. The carbothermic route to magnesium. JOM 58, 51–55 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-006-0024-x

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