MagSonic carbothermal technology compared with the electrolytic and Pidgeon processes.

The MagSonicTM process involves the carbothermal reduction of magnesia directly with carbon in the high-temperature gas-solid reaction. This process achieves minimal reversion by cooling the reaction product gases at up to 1 000 000 degrees C/second by supersonic acceleration through a Laval nozzle. Energy intensity is just 56 GJ per tonne Mg, less than a quarter that of the next best technology, and global warming potential 14 t CO2-eq/t Mg, slightly better than for the electrolytic process and less than half that of the silicothermic Pidgeon process. Operating cost compares favourably, only 6 person hours/t Mg, half that of electrolysis and one fifteenth that of the Pidgeon process. However, the capital cost is estimated at US
The MagSonicTM process involves the carbothermal reduction of magnesia directly with carbon in the high-temperature gas-solid reaction. This process achieves minimal reversion by cooling the reaction product gases at up to 1 000 000 degrees C/second by supersonic acceleration through a Laval nozzle. Energy intensity is just 56 GJ per tonne Mg, less than a quarter that of the next best technology, and global warming potential 14 t CO2-eq/t Mg, slightly better than for the electrolytic process and less than half that of the silicothermic Pidgeon process. Operating cost compares favourably, only 6 person hours/t Mg, half that of electrolysis and one fifteenth that of the Pidgeon process. However, the capital cost is estimated at US