Magnesium
(information)
Here’s a structured breakdown of **global magnesium uses by sector**, based on approximate consumption shares. This follows the same style as the charts we’ve done for boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and fluorine: --- ### 📊 Global Magnesium Uses by Sector #### **1–5: Alloys & Structural Materials (~50%)** 1. **Aluminum-Magnesium Alloys** – Automotive, aerospace, marine structures. 2. **Magnesium-Copper / Magnesium-Zinc Alloys** – Aerospace and defense. 3. **Die-Castings** – Automotive parts, electronics housings, machinery components. 4. **Magnesium Sheets / Plates** – Aircraft panels, lightweight construction. 5. **Magnesium Powder in Alloys** – Reducing weight in engines and structural components. --- #### **6–10: Chemical & Industrial (~25%)** 6. **Magnesium Oxide (MgO)** – Refractories for furnaces and kilns. 7. **Magnesium Hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂)** – Fire retardants, wastewater treatment, acid neutralization. 8. **Magnesium Chloride (MgCl₂)** – Road de-icing, dust control, brine production. 9. **Magnesium Sulfate (MgSO₄ / Epsom Salt)** – Fertilizers, agriculture, industrial uses. 10. **Reducing Agent in Chemical Reactions** – Organic synthesis, metallurgy. --- #### **11–15: Energy & Electronics (~15%)** 11. **Magnesium Batteries** – Emerging high-capacity rechargeable batteries. 12. **Magnesium Anodes** – Cathodic protection for pipelines and tanks. 13. **Electronics Casings** – Lightweight laptops, cameras, and mobile devices. 14. **Magnesium Compounds in Semiconductors** – Electronics and optical materials. 15. **Pyrotechnics & Flares** – Bright-burning magnesium in fireworks and emergency signaling. --- #### **16–20: Health, Food & Specialty (~10%)** 16. **Dietary Supplements** – Magnesium compounds for human nutrition. 17. **Medical / Pharmaceutical Uses** – Laxatives, antacids, and other medical applications. 18. **Sports / Safety Equipment** – Lightweight alloy for bicycles, helmets, and vehicles. 19. **Fireworks & Sparklers** – Bright white flames in entertainment pyrotechnics. 20. **Aerospace & Military Applications** – Lightweight structural components for aircraft, missiles, and rockets. --- 💡 **Summary of Approximate Shares by Sector** | Sector | % of Global Magnesium Use | | ----------------------------- | ------------------------- | | Alloys & Structural Materials | 50% | | Chemical & Industrial | 25% | | Energy & Electronics | 15% | | Health, Food & Specialty | 10% | --- I can also make an **actual pie chart visualizing magnesium uses by sector**, so you can see the proportions at a glance like we did for neon, fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen. Do you want me to create that chart?Known Methods of Extraction
Perfect 👍 — let’s continue in **periodic table order**. Now we’re at **Magnesium (Mg, atomic number 12)**. Magnesium is fairly abundant (≈2% of Earth’s crust, and a major ion in seawater). It does not occur free in nature, only as salts (dolomite, magnesite, carnallite, seawater brines, etc.). It’s usually extracted by **electrolysis** or **thermal reduction**. Here are the **20 most common methods of extracting Magnesium**: --- # **20 Most Common Methods of Extracting Magnesium** ### **A. Industrial Electrolytic Processes** 1. **Electrolysis of Molten Magnesium Chloride (MgCl₂)** – Main modern process (from seawater brine, carnallite, or magnesite). 2. **Electrolysis of MgCl₂ from Seawater + Lime Treatment** – Mg²⁺ precipitated as Mg(OH)₂, converted to MgCl₂, then electrolyzed. 3. **Electrolysis of Fused Carnallite (KCl·MgCl₂·6H₂O)** – Used in some regions with carnallite deposits. 4. **Electrolysis of Fused Magnesite-Derived MgCl₂** – Magnesite (MgCO₃) is calcined → MgO → MgCl₂ → electrolyzed. 5. **Electrolysis of Brine-Derived MgCl₂** – Similar to seawater method but from inland brines. 6. **Electrolysis in Downs-Type Cells** – Adapted from sodium production; produces liquid Mg + Cl₂ gas. --- ### **B. Thermal Reduction (Pidgeon & Variants)** 7. **Pidgeon Process (Silicothermic Reduction of MgO with Ferrosilicon)** – The dominant thermal method (especially in China). 8. **Thermal Reduction of Dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂) with Ferrosilicon** – Variant of the Pidgeon process. 9. **Retort Reduction of MgO with Aluminum** – Less common but possible reduction route. 10. **Thermal Reduction with Calcium Carbide (CaC₂)** – Early 20th century experiments. 11. **Thermal Reduction of MgCl₂ with Sodium or Potassium** – Produces Mg metal + alkali chlorides. 12. **Vacuum Carbothermic Reduction of MgO** – MgO + C at high temps under vacuum → Mg vapor. --- ### **C. Specialized Industrial Routes** 13. **Hansgirg Process (Carbothermic Reduction + Rapid Quench Condensation)** – High-yield method, but safety issues (Mg dust explosions). 14. **Electrothermal Reduction of Dolomite** – Electric arc furnaces reduce dolomite with carbon. 15. **Aluminothermic Reduction of MgO** – Produces magnesium and alumina. 16. **Magnetherm Process (Carbothermic Reduction in Electric Furnace under Vacuum)** – Industrially tested in Europe. --- ### **D. Research, Byproduct, & Novel Methods** 17. **Biomineral Extraction (from Seawater via Microalgae or Ion-Exchange Resins)** – Experimental sustainable methods. 18. **Molten Salt Electrolysis with Additives (e.g., CaF₂)** – Lowers melting point and improves Mg yield. 19. **Solar Thermal Carbothermic Reduction of MgO** – Experimental, driven by concentrated solar power. 20. **Electrochemical Extraction in Ionic Liquids** – Research method avoiding corrosive molten salts. --- ✅ **Summary:** * **Main industrial routes today:** * **Electrolysis of MgCl₂** (from seawater, brines, or minerals). * **Pidgeon process (silicothermic reduction of dolomite with ferrosilicon).** * **Historic methods:** Hansgirg, aluminothermic, sodium/potassium reductions. * **Modern research:** solar carbothermic and ionic liquid electrolysis. * **Natural occurrence:** Never free, but abundant in seawater (\~1,300 ppm) and minerals. --- The next element in order will be **Aluminum (Al, atomic number 13)**. Want me to continue straight into aluminum?
