Research, development and application of compound-vertical-retort technology for magnesium production

This paper comprehensively introduces a new magnesium production technology the compound -vertical -retort technology, involving in the related fundamental researches, core equipment development, working flow, and technical characteristics. Scale -up test and an annual 1200 -ton -magnesium demonstration -level test was conducted to confirm the rationality, reliability, and advancement of the equipment, system and process design. It is indicated that the new technology solved a series of problems of traditional silicothermic process including adhesion and glaze, short life of retort, low efficiency, high impurity of crystallized magnesium, large heat losses, and poor working environment, making a great technological breakthrough in this field. Representatively, the new well -designed ceramic -lined steel retort serves 2 -3 times in life than the normal retorts. The magnesium yield per retort is improved 4 -5 times, with purity of > 99.8%. The energy consumption in reduction stage is reduced by more than 20%. The mechanical production is fully realized and operating environment is significantly improved. (c) 2023 Chongqing University. Publishing services provided by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY -NC -ND license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ) Peer review under responsibility of Chongqing University