Abstract

Economics of Nozzle-based Carbothermal Magnesium Production

The proposed nozzle-based carbothermal process is suitable for an automated process in a market with strict environmental regulations. The simplicity of the process allows low capital costs.  The carbothermal process has been demonstrated to be viable, i.e., the Permanente Plant, with the exception of an efficient way to cool and collect the magnesium.  The current technology addresses that deficiency.  The suitability of the lavalle nozzle in addressing this deficiency has been demonstrated on a bench scale and modeling has confirmed its applicability to larger scale operations.

The MV_model predicts the nozzle-based carbothermal process would have significantly lower operating costs than any magnesium process operating today given similar access to low cost electrical power and other factors of production.  The model enables the user to determine the impact of the Design Criteria, Raw Material Analysis, and the Cost of Inputs (raw materials, power, and other factors of production) on the cost of making magnesium.