Condensation Behavior of Magnesium Metal in Argon Gas

Abstract

The condensation behavior of magnesium vapor in argon was studied. Thermodynamic analysis showed that magnesium vapor condensation was controlled by partial pressure and temperature and that temperature was the main factor affecting condensation. When the actual magnesium vapor partial pressure was 371.2 Pa, the magnesium vapor changed from gas to liquid and then to solid. Experimental results showed that droplet magnesium with particle sizes of 0.15 to 1.04 mm, transitional condensed magnesium with particle sizes of 2 to 25 μm and powdered magnesium with particle sizes of 0.5 to 8 μm were obtained at 1000 °C and 0.2 m3/h. This phenomenon occurred as the temperature in the constant temperature zone increased from 1000 °C to 1200 °C. The initial temperature of the droplet condensation zone increased from 618 °C to 776 °C; the initial temperature of transitional condensation zone was 492 °C to 552 °C and the initial temperature of the powder condensation zone 420 °C to 458 °C. When the argon flow rate increased from 0.1 to 0.4 m3/h, droplet magnesium decreased from 52.68 to 11.32 pct and the powder magnesium increased from 24.06 to 57.98 pct. Controlling the temperature and gas flow, different magnesium crystalline microstructures were obtained, which provided a means for magnesium vapor condensation in a continuous magnesium extraction process.