Kinetics of oxychlorination of magnesium oxide

The kinetics of oxychlorination of MgO by Cl-2 + O-2 were studied in the te mperature range from 850 degrees C to 1025 degrees C, using thermogravimetr ic analysis (TGA). The effects of Cl-2/O-2 ratio, gas velocity, temperature , and partial pressure of reactive gases on the reaction rate were investig ated. The oxychlorination process was characterized by an apparent activati on energy of about 214 kJ/mol. The reaction orders with respect to O-2, Cl- 2, and Cl-2 + O-2 at 950 degrees C were about -0.37, 0.98, and 0.65, respec tively. Data concerning oxychlorination of MgO, Cr2O3, and MgCr2O4 containe d in chromite were compared. The effectiveness of using oxychlorination to extract iron oxides contained in magnesia was demonstrated.