A feasibility study of carbochlorination of chrysotile tailings

This study examines the production of MgCl2 from raw chrysotile tailings. The tailings were exposed to a dry carbochlorination reaction in a non-rotating oven. The effects of temperature, gas flow rate and time on the recovery of various cations were examined. Our results show that temperature is the determining factor for both the recovery of Mg (85%) and for limiting impurities. Reaction time can also be reduced to 30 min without affecting MgCl2 recovery. Filtration trials during the carbochlorination reaction allow us to conclude that the main product is MgCl2.