There are two principal magnesium extraction processes: silicothermic process and electrolytic process.

Silicotermic process (Pidgeon, Magnetherm, Bolzano). The process involves reducing molten magnesium oxide slag by ferrosilicon under low gas pressure at a temperature of about 2500F (1400C). The metallic magnesium, formed in the process, evaporates and then condensates away from the hot region. The condensed magnesium, having purity of 99,95% is then remelt and cast. Electrolytic process. The first stage of the process is a preparation of magnesium chloride feed which is followed by the electrolytic dissociation of magnesium chloride. Industrial cell feeds consist of a mixture of dehydrated magnesium chloride, partly dehydrated magnesium chloride or dehydrated carnallite. Dehydrated magnesium chloride is prepared by one of two methods: chlorination of magnesium oxide (IG Farben process) or dehydration of magnesium chloride brines. The electrolytic cell consists of a brick-lined vessel, divided into anode and cathode compartments by a semi-wall. Air- or water-cooled Graphite plate anode and steel cathode are submerged in electrolyte composed of alkaline chlorides with addition of magnesium chloride. The operating temperature is 1260F to 1380F (680C to 750C). Magnesium chloride decomposes in the electrolytic cell according to the reaction: MgCl2 Mg + Cl2(g) Metallic magnesium is formed at the cathode. It floats up (it is lighter than electrolyte) collecting in the cathode compartment. Chlorine, which is by-product of the process, is collected in the anode compartment.

Penjelasan pidgeon process beserta care 4 environment ada di C:\Users\ASUS\Downloads\Buku2\6b3magnesiumproductiondraft.doc Magnetherm Process The magnetherm process was developed by Pechiney Electrometallurgie in 1963 and is still in use at the company's magnesium extraction plant in Marignac, France. The process is now also operated by North West Alloys (United States), Japan Metals and Chemicals (Japan), and Magnohrom (former Yugoslavia). The total installed production capacity worldwide is 65,000 t/a. The overall equation for the process is: 2CaO MgO(s) + Al203(s) + (Fe)Si(s) Ca2SiO4 Al203(l) + Mg(g) The dicalcium silicate slag formed in the reaction of calcined dolomite with ferrosilicon (Pidgeon and Bolzano processes) has a melting point of 2000 oC and is solid at the reaction temperature (1200 oC). The Magnetherm process, however, operates with a partly molten slag of the general composition 2CaO SiO2 nAl2O3 at 1550-1600 oC. The slag contains 50% Ca2SiO4, 18% Al2O3, 14% MgO, and 18% CaO and is kept in an electrically heated, cylindrical, brick- and carbon-lined steel vessel (Fig. 3). The power input (4500 kW) is conveyed through a water-cooled copper electrode (a) from the top through the slag (g), to the bottom graphite lining (b) of the reactor, which acts as a power outlet. Coarse calcined dolomite and alumina screened to 3-30 mm, as well as ferrosilicon containing a minimum amount of fines, are added continuously to the slag, under a vacuum of 0.40-0.67 kPa, through charge holes in the water-cooled furnace roof. Magnesium vapor condenses in a separate condenser system. Bolzano Process The Bolzano process is operated in Italy by Societa Italiana per il Leghe di Magnesio (SAIM) and in Brazil by Brasmag. It employs an internally heated, brick-lined cylindrical reactor (Fig. 2). The briquetted charge of homogeneously mixed calcined dolomite and ferrosilicon fines (d) is loaded on a charge support system (e). Internal electrical heating (f) is conducted to the charge through the charge support system. The process operates at 1200 oC and < 400 Pa. Magnesium vapor condenses inside the condensers that are water-cooled to 400-500 oC. Each reactor has a production capacity of ca. 2 t of magnesium per 20-24 h reaction cycle, with a shutdown time of 30-45 min per cycle. Production of 1 t of magnesium consumes 7-7.3 MW h, 5-5.2 t calcined dolomite, and 0.7 t of silicon contained in 78% ferrosilicon, with 81% silicon recovery; 5-5.2 t of slag is produced per ton of magnesium and sold for use in plaster and building bricks. Mechanization of charge handling and slag removal is a challenge in this process. Magnesium with a purity of 99.98-99.99% is obtained. http://www.magnesium.com/w3/data-bank/article.php?mgw=64&magnesium=68 perlengkap, benahi, dan tambah informasinya!!!! http://www.google.co.id/search?q=magnetherm+process&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:enUS:official&client=firefox-beta