Effective separation of fusing agent from refined magnesium slag by supergravity technology

Abstract

Supergravity separation by high-temperature centrifugation is an effective and environmentally friendly method for separating and recycling waste refined magnesium slag. Based on the close density and greatly different wettability characteristics of fusing agent and inclusion in the refined magnesium slag, present work focused on the recovery of fusing agent from refined magnesium slag by supergravity separation. In a supergravity field, fusing agent and inclusions appeared obvious stratification phenomenon in the enrichment. The fusing agent with the purity of 97.9 wt% was obtained and filtered from waste refined magnesium slag by supergravity separation. The gravity coefficient (G) and reaction temperature (T) were favorable to the enrichment and separation of fusing agent. Under the optimal conditions of G = 400 and T = 500 °C, the fusing agent yield and recovery rate were 50.34% and 70.81%, respectively. The content of inclusion in the recovered fusing agent was less than 2.01 wt%, which meets the recycling demand of refined magnesium. The results indicated that supergravity technology provided a clean and efficient method for reclaiming valuable components from waste refined magnesium slag and creating significant economic and environmental benefits.