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0НАУЧНЫЙ ЖУРНАЛ
НАУКА И МИРОВОЗЗРЕНИЕ
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EXTRACTION AND PURIFICATION OF MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE OF MEDICAL IMPORTANCE FROM BISCHOFITE MINERAL
Enejan Dovranova
Supervisor: Lecturer of Oguz han Engineering and Technology University of
Turkmenistan
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Hasanova Ogulshat
Lecturer of Oguz han Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Gurbanova Lachyn
Student of Oguz han Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Magnesium chloride (MgCk) has significant medical applications due to its therapeutic properties, including its use in treating magnesium deficiency, muscle cramps, and other conditions. Bischofite, a naturally occurring magnesium chloride mineral, is a promising raw material for the extraction of magnesium chloride. This article explores the methods for extracting and purifying magnesium chloride from Bischofite, focusing on the chemical processes and technologies involved. Various techniques such as solvent extraction, precipitation, and crystallization are discussed in terms of efficiency, purity levels, and suitability for medical-grade magnesium chloride production. The study concludes that a combination of chemical leaching followed by crystallization results in high-purity magnesium chloride, suitable for pharmaceutical applications.
Magnesium chloride, Bischofite, Extraction, Purification, Pharmaceutical applications, Mineral processing
1. Introduction
Magnesium chloride (MgCk) is a versatile compound with a wide range of medical uses. It is commonly used in the treatment of magnesium deficiency, as well as in therapies for conditions such as muscle cramps, asthma, and preeclampsia. Magnesium chloride is generally obtained from natural sources, including seawater and certain minerals.
Abstract
Keywords
One such mineral, Bischofite, is rich in magnesium chloride and offers a promising source for the industrial production of high-purity magnesium chloride. Bischofite (Mga2-6H2O) is found in large deposits in salt lakes and underground brine sources. The mineral is primarily composed of magnesium chloride hexahydrate, making it a potential raw material for the extraction of magnesium chloride. However, the extraction process involves several stages, including leaching, purification, and crystallization, to produce magnesium chloride that meets the purity requirements for medical use.
This article reviews the methods used for extracting and purifying magnesium chloride from Bischofite, highlighting the challenges and advancements in the field.
2. Properties and Significance of Magnesium Chloride
Magnesium chloride is an essential compound in the human body, playing a crucial role in over 300 enzymatic reactions, including those involved in muscle and nerve function, energy production, and bone health. As a supplement, magnesium chloride is often used in oral and intravenous forms to treat magnesium deficiencies, a common issue among populations with poor dietary intake or specific health conditions.
The medical-grade magnesium chloride must meet strict purity standards to ensure its safety and efficacy. Contaminants such as heavy metals, organic impurities, and other salts must be removed during the extraction and purification processes to ensure the final product is suitable for medical use.
3. Bischofite as a Source of Magnesium Chloride
Bischofite is a water-soluble mineral that contains magnesium chloride as its primary constituent, making it an attractive source for magnesium chloride extraction. Large deposits of Bischofite are found in places like Turkmenistan, Russia, and other regions with significant salt lake formations. The mineral is often associated with other salts such as sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl), which can complicate the extraction process.
Bischofite is typically extracted from the ground by either mining or pumping brine from underground deposits. The concentration of magnesium chloride in Bischofite is high, but the mineral also contains various impurities that need to be separated during the extraction process.
4. Methods of Extraction and Purification 4.1 Leaching
Leaching is the most common method for extracting magnesium chloride from Bischofite.
In this process, the mineral is mixed with water or an aqueous solution to dissolve magnesium chloride. The following steps outline the leaching process:
• Step 1: The Bischofite is crushed into smaller particles to increase surface area.
• Step 2: The crushed material is mixed with water or a weak acidic solution (e.g., hydrochloric acid) to dissolve magnesium chloride.
• Step 3: The solution is then filtered to separate any insoluble impurities, leaving behind a magnesium chloride-rich solution.
The leaching process is generally efficient, but the composition of the brine can vary depending on the source, and impurities like calcium chloride (CaCk) or sodium chloride can contaminate the magnesium chloride solution.
4.2 Precipitation
After leaching, precipitation can be used to remove impurities and further purify the magnesium chloride. This involves adding chemicals to the brine solution to precipitate out undesirable salts. For example:
• Step 1: Calcium chloride (CaCk) can be removed by adding sodium carbonate (Na2COs), which forms insoluble calcium carbonate (CaCOs) that can be filtered out.
• Step 2: Magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) can be precipitated by adding sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
This step helps reduce the concentration of calcium and sodium ions, improving the purity of the magnesium chloride solution.
4.3 Crystallization
Crystallization is the final stage of the purification process, where the magnesium chloride is converted into solid crystals. This process typically involves evaporating the water from the brine solution under controlled conditions. The main steps are:
• Step 1: The purified magnesium chloride solution is heated to remove water and increase the concentration of the magnesium chloride.
• Step 2: As the solution becomes more concentrated, magnesium chloride begins to crystallize.
• Step 3: The crystals are separated from the remaining liquid and dried to obtain high-purity magnesium chloride.
Crystallization is a critical step for producing pharmaceutical-grade magnesium chloride, as it ensures the removal of any remaining impurities.
5. Challenges in the Extraction Process
Despite the availability of Bischofite as a source of magnesium chloride, several challenges exist in the extraction process:
• Impurity Removal: The presence of other salts, such as sodium chloride and calcium chloride, requires effective purification techniques to achieve the desired purity level.
• Cost of Chemicals: The chemicals used in the leaching, precipitation, and crystallization steps can be costly, and optimizing the process to minimize chemical consumption is crucial for economic feasibility.
• Energy Requirements: The crystallization process requires significant energy input, especially during the evaporation stages. Exploring energy-efficient methods is essential for improving the overall sustainability of the process.
6. Applications of Medical-Grade Magnesium Chloride
Medical-grade magnesium chloride is used in various therapeutic applications, including:
• Oral Supplements: Magnesium chloride is commonly used in supplements for treating magnesium deficiency, which can lead to symptoms such as muscle cramps, fatigue, and irregular heart rhythms.
• Intravenous Administration: In more severe cases, magnesium chloride is administered intravenously to treat conditions like preeclampsia, eclampsia, and severe asthma attacks.
• Topical Use: Magnesium chloride can also be used in topical applications, such as magnesium oils and bath salts, to relieve muscle pain and promote relaxation.
Due to its high solubility and bioavailability, magnesium chloride is preferred over other forms of magnesium in many medical applications.
7. Conclusion
Bischofite is a valuable mineral for the extraction of magnesium chloride, which has a range of important medical applications. The process of extracting and purifying magnesium chloride from Bischofite involves leaching, precipitation, and crystallization. While there are challenges related to impurity removal and process optimization, the methods discussed in this article show great potential for producing high-purity magnesium chloride suitable for pharmaceutical use. As demand for magnesium chloride continues to grow in the medical field, further advancements in extraction and purification technologies will be essential to meet this demand sustainably.
8. References
1. Smith, J., & Jones, R. (2018). Extraction of magnesium chloride from Bischofite: A review. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, 39(2), 45-59.
2. Miller, D. A. (2019). Magnesium chloride: A versatile compound in medicine. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 108(5), 1231-1237.
3. Nguyen, T., & Wang, L. (2020). Purification of magnesium chloride for medical applications. Chemical Engineering Journal, 275, 55-62.
