Abstract
Reduction steel retorts are extensively used in the production of magnesium by the Pidgeon process. As the equipment is subjected to elevated temperatures, it expires within two months as a consequence of excessive creep deformation. This study was conducted to prolong the life of retorts and reduce Mg production costs through the application of supports in the vulnerable mid-sections of tubes and changing their cross-sections. A finite element model was crafted to test the productivity of the proposed designs. Results from actual small-scale retorts validated finite-element model predictions. It was found that supported retorts demonstrate significant improvement in terms of operational life over the unsupported ones. Via economic analysis, optimal design for Mg-production steel retorts was determined to comprise an externally reinforced support 50 cm long, 10 mm thick placed in the middle of an otherwise unsupported retort.
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