Birger Langseth

An Improved Process for the Production of Magnesium

In the late 60’s, Norsk Hydro started to develop a process for production of anhydrous MgCl2 based on dehydration of MgCl2 brines. The development of the dehydration process has continued, and today an improved third generation process is ready for implementation in brown-field expansions or green-field projects. Several elements of the improved process have already been installed in the Norsk Hydro Becancour plant. Compared to the previous generation, this new technology offers a minimized energy consumption of 6 kWhi/kg Mg in a large scale mass and energy integrated plant, fully automated and continuous operation with a typical productivity of 1 t Mg/man hour. The Norsk Hydro dehydration technology (considered BAT in EU) offers an environmentally sound solution with minimal emissions of chlorine and chlorinated hydrocarbons, high productivity and improved quality of the anhydrous MgCl2 feed, ensuring a significantly improved performance of the electrolysis.