A method for continuous production of magnesium metal by metallothermic reduction of magnesium bearing ore and condensatino of liquid magnesium

Abstract

A system and method for continuous production of Mg from metallothermic reduction of magnesium bearing ore from both the reactor side and condenser side of the system, using a separate collection vessel. The furnace is a heated tube through which a moving bed of tableted feed flows. The condenser is a common heat exchanger design (shell/tube, plate/plate, etc.) and uses a heat transfer liquid to cool and condense magnesium gas under vacuum or pressure conditions. The cooling medium can be molten salts or metals which are not in direct contact with the magnesium metal. Liquid magnesium flows from the condenser into a collection vessel for further processing. Continuous operation is achieved by supplying a constant feed of tablets into the furnace, producing a constant stream of Mg gas to the condenser. Magnesium liquid product is tapped periodically from the collection vessel.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.