HCL PROCESS TO PRODUCE MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS AND VARIOUS BY-PRODUCTS USING SULFURIC ACID IN A HCL RECOVERY LOOP

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for the extraction of magnesium compounds from magnesium-bearing ores, which involves the dissolution of magnesium and other elements, such as iron and nickel, by leaching serpentine ore minerals with dilute HCl. The residual silica is removed and the concentrated solution is neutralized to remove impurities and nickel is recovered. Magnesium chloride is transformed in magnesium sulfate and hydrochloric acid by reaction with sulfuric acid. The magnesium sulfate can be further decomposed by calcination in magnesium oxide and sulfur dioxide. The sulfur gas may be further converted to sulfuric acid.