Evaluation of MgO solubility in MgF2 – LiF and MgF2 – LiF – MF2 (M = Ca, Ba) at 1053–1203 K
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The accurate measurement of magnesium oxide (MgO) solubility in molten fluoride salts is crucial to optimize the electrolytic process for producing high-purity magnesium (Mg) metal from MgO. In this study, the influences of time, temperature, and composition of molten salts such as magnesium fluoride (MgF 2 ) – lithium fluoride (LiF), MgF 2 – LiF – calcium fluoride (CaF 2 ), and MgF 2 – LiF – barium fluoride (BaF 2 ) on the solubility of MgO were investigated. Before the MgO solubility experiments, electrolytic removal of oxygen ions (O 2- ) in the molten salts was conducted to decrease the oxygen (O) concentration to below 88 ppm. The results showed that the MgO concentrations in the (MgF 2 – LiF) eut , (MgF 2 – LiF) eut – 15 mol% CaF 2 , and (MgF 2 – LiF) eut – 15 mol% BaF 2 molten salts at 1053 K reached saturation to 0.210 mass%, 0.188 mass%, and 0.148 mass%, respectively, after 30 h. Additionally, MgO solubility at 1053 K decreased with increasing concentrations of CaF 2 or BaF 2 in the molten salt. However, the MgO solubility in the molten salts increased with increasing temperature, reaching 0.264 mass% in the (MgF 2 – LiF) eut molten salt at 1203 K. Moreover, increasing the concentration of MgF 2 in the MgF 2 – LiF molten salt increased the MgO solubility at 1103 K. This study provides valuable insights into the MgO solubility in molten fluoride salts used for the electrolytic process using MgO feed for the production of Mg metal.
Source: Journal of Magnesium and Alloys
Authors: Chungyong Sim, Hyeong-Jun Jeoung, Jungshin Kang
Institution: Seoul National University
Language: English
Subfield: Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
Field: Chemical Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,500
Awards: G2473509793, G5489450312
OpenAlex ID: W7091677491