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Abstract

A process for electrolytically producing magnesium metal from MgCl.sub.2 dissolved in an electrolyte, by conversion to the product metal and chlorine gas, wherein the MgCl.sub.2 content of the electrolyte is replenished by supplying thereto a feed having as components one or more magnesium chloride ammoniates for decomposition by the heat of the electrolyte into MgCl.sub.2 and ammonia gas. The feed, which may also include uncombined MgCl.sub.2, is delivered to the electrolyte at a location at which the generated ammonia does not come into reactive contact with the chlorine gas. The temperature of the electrolyte as well as its MgCl.sub.2 content can be controlled by selection of feed components, relative proportions, and rate of supply. The ammoniate content of the feed can be produced by reaction of ammonia with magnesium chloride hydrates, using the ammonia gas generated by the decomposition.

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First Claim