GB445849A - Improvements in or relating to a method of and apparatus for refining magnesium - Google Patents

Abstract

445,849. Distilling magnesium. MAGNESIUM PRODUCTS, Inc., 100, West 10th Street, Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A. July 11, 1934, No. 20342. Convention date, July 11, 1933. [Class 82 (i)] In the refining of magnesium by vaporizing at a temperature below the normal boiling point and condensing the magnesium vapours formed, the condensation is effected at atmospheric pressure or a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure up to about 20 atmospheres. In one form of the invention, the pressure in the condenser is greater than the pressure at which vaporization takes place, e.g. the vaporization being carried out at a high vacuum and the condensation at or above atmospheric pressure. The vaporization may be promoted by circulating indifferent gases, preferably cyclically, through the system and the condenser may be heated to obtain the metal in liquid form. In another form, the pressure in the vaporizing zone is substantially equal to that in the condenser, while using indifferent gases, and in a third form a greater pressure is maintained in the vaporizing zone than in the condenser, while using indifferent gases, the pressure in the condenser being preferably at atmospheric pressure. In both these forms, the indifferent gas is circulated cyclically throughout the system and may be preheated before being introduced into the vaporizing zone. In carrying out the first form of the invention, a furnace 1 is connected to a vacuum pump 2 which removes the vapours generated in the furnace 1 and forces them into a condenser 3 in which any desired pressure is produced by a regulator 4. When the system is being operated with an indifferent gas, the latter is admitted to the furnace by means not shown and is circulated by a pump 5 through a preheater 6 and a pressure regulting valve 7 through the furnace 1. To carry out the second and third forms, the pump 2 is replaced by a valve by which the pressure in the furnace 1 may be maintained at a pressure below atmospheric or a pressure equal to or greater than the pressure in the condenser 3. The valve 7 is omitted and the indifferent gas is circulated through the furnace by a pump placed between the preheater 6 and the furnace. Specifications 362,835 and 406,958 are referred to.