Magnesium is commercially extracted from sea water via Dow's process, which concludes with the electrolysis of fused Carnallite. Dehydrating hydrated Carnallite () in normal air leads to the formation

Question

Magnesium is commercially extracted from sea water via Dow's process, which concludes with the electrolysis of fused Carnallite. Dehydrating hydrated Carnallite ($KCl \cdot MgCl_2 \cdot 6H_2O$) in normal air leads to the formation of an unwanted basic compound ($MgO \cdot MgCl_2$) due to hydrolysis. How is this prevented industrially?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: A. Heating hydrated magnesium chloride in air causes it to hydrolyze with its own water of crystallization, yielding . To obtain pure anhydrous suitable for fused salt electrolysis, the crystals must be heated (calcined) in an atmosphere of dry gas, which suppresses the hydrolysis equilibrium.

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