A practical approach to produce Mg‐Al spinel based on the modeling of phase equilibria for NH4Cl‐MgCl2‐AlCl3‐H2O system

Based on chemical modeling of phase equilibria for the NH₄Cl‐MgCl₂‐AlCl₃‐H₂O system, a practical approach to produce Mg‐Al spinel (MgAl₂O₄) (widely used as refractory brick, supports in catalysts, and inert material for oxygen carriers) is proposed and proven feasible. This novel process includes coprecipitation of Mg₄Al₂(OH)₁₄·3H₂O from the NH₃‐MgCl₂‐AlCl₃‐H₂O system; calcination of Mg₄Al₂(OH)₁₄·3H₂O to obtain Mg‐Al spinel and recovery of NH₄Cl from NH₄Cl‐rich solutions by feeding MgCl₂‐AlCl₃. A MSMPR reactor was applied to investigate the effect of temperature, feed concentration, and NH₄Cl addition on coprecipitation of precursor Mg₄Al₂(OH)₁₄·3H₂O from MgCl₂‐AlCl₃ solutions with Mg/Al ratio = 2 through gradual addition of NH₄OH. The phase equilibria of the NH₄Cl‐MgCl₂‐AlCl₃‐H₂O system were determined over the temperature range 283.2 to 363.2 K using dynamic method. The experimental solubilities were regressed to obtain new Bromley‐Zemaitis model parameters. These newly obtained parameters were verified by predicting the quaternary system. A chemical model for the NH₄Cl‐MgCl₂‐AlCl₃‐H₂O system has been established with the OLI platform. All the results generated from this study will provide the theoretical basis for Mg‐Al spinel production. The high quality Mg‐Al spinel was prepared by calcination of precursor from 773.2 to 1273.2 K, and the NH₄Cl was successfully recovered through the common ion effect of MgCl₂‐AlCl₃ addition. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 1855–1867, 2013     

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of the MgCl2‐NH4Cl‐NH3‐H2O system for the production of high purity MgO from calcined low‐grade magnesite

To improve the overall sustainability of MgO‐based refractory production, a novel process to produce high purity MgO from calcined low‐grade magnesite in ammonium chloride solution was developed. The process was designed on the basis of the phase equilibria of the NH₄Cl‐MgCl₂‐NH₃‐H₂O system obtained using the Mixed Solvent Electrolyte model embedded in OLI software. The optimum calcination temperature of low‐grade magnesite was determined to be 650°C in terms of the conversion ratio of magnesium and calcium in the leaching experiments. An apparent activation energy of Mg extraction was 30.98 kJ/mol, which is slightly lower than that of Ca leaching. An empirical kinetic model of magnesium extraction was also developed to describe the effects of NH₄Cl concentration, particle size of calcined magnesite, and solid‐to‐liquid ratio on the extent of extraction of magnesium. At leaching time of 10 min, the leachate with high Mg/Ca molar ratio was obtained. Then, MgO with a purity of 99.09% was produced through the decomposition of intermediate 4MgCO₃·Mg(OH)₂·4H₂O. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 1933–1946, 2015     

Kinetic analysis for crystal growth rate of NH4Cl in the NaCl‐MgCl2‐H2O system with a thermodynamic approach

A growth kinetic model has been developed from a rigorous thermodynamic perspective to describe the crystal growth rates of NH₄Cl on the basis of the difference of chemical potentials of NH₄Cl at solid–liquid interface in aqueous NH₄Cl, NH₄Cl‐NaCl, and NH₄Cl‐MgCl₂ solutions. The solid–liquid equilibrium and activity coefficient of NH₄Cl are calculated by the newly developed accurate Pitzer model with aid of Aspen Plus? platform. The predictions of the resulting model are in good agreement with the experimental data published in literature and determined in this work at 283.15–333.15 K within the supersaturation up to 0.1. The kinetic model was subsequently used to analyze the effect of several operation variables, including temperature (283.15–333.15 K), supersaturation (up to 0.1), and NaCl or MgCl₂ concentration (0～2.5 mol kg^?1), on the crystal growth rate of NH₄Cl. The crystal growth rate of NH₄Cl, with activation energy of 39 kJ mol^?1, is strongly temperature‐dependent and increases with increasing temperature in the three systems investigated. The advantage of MgCl₂ over NaCl on the recovery of NH₄Cl is theoretically and experimentally illustrated from the thermodynamic and kinetic perspectives with the aid of the established model. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012     

Phase equilibrium of the ternary system of NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>Cl-CaCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O at 50°C

The equilibrium data on the ternary system of NH₄Cl—CaCl₂—H₂O at 50°C were investigated using the wet-residue method. The experimental results show that there are three pure phase crystal areas of NH₄Cl, 2NH₄Cl·CaCl₂·3H₂O and CaCl·2H₂O, two mixture phase crystal areas of NH₄Cl and 2NH₄Cl·CaCl·3H₂O, and 2NH₄Cl ·CaCl₂·3H₂O and CaCl·2H₂O in the system. A new hydration double salt (2NH₄Cl·CaCl·3H₂O) was found in the ternary equilibrium system for the first time.     

Phase equilibrium of the ternary system of NH4Cl-CaCl2-H2O at 50°C

The equilibrium data on the ternary system of NH₄Cl—CaCl₂—H₂O at 50°C were investigated using the wet-residue method. The experimental results show that there are three pure phase crystal areas of NH₄Cl, 2NH₄Cl·CaCl₂·3H₂O and CaCl·2H₂O, two mixture phase crystal areas of NH₄Cl and 2NH₄Cl·CaCl·3H₂O, and 2NH₄Cl ·CaCl₂·3H₂O and CaCl·2H₂O in the system. A new hydration double salt (2NH₄Cl·CaCl·3H₂O) was found in the ternary equilibrium system for the first time.     

An investigation of the phase transformations in a CaSO4/(NH4)2SO4/H2O system,directed at the preparation of a fine dispersed purified phosphogypsum

The process of recrystallization of apatite phosphogypsum (PHG) in a solution ammonium sulphate (AS) with the subsequent decomposition of the binary salt was investigated and the resulting highly dispersed products with a low P₂O₅ content have been discussed. The following effects were examined: (NH₄)₂SO₄ concentration, the quantity of ammonium sulphate, the reaction temperature of phosphogypsum with (NH₄)₂SO₄ solution, the time of treatment of phosphogypsum with (NH₄)₂SO₄ solution and the decomposition of the binary salt, as well as the liquid/solid ratio for the binary salts, Based on the results of the chemical and X-ray analysis, it was established that, depending on the technological conditions of the process of recrystallization, binary salts of (NH₄)₂SO₄·CaSO₄·H₂O and of (NH₄)₂SO₄·CaSO₄·H₂O and of (NH₄)₂SO₄·5 CaSO₄·H₂O were formed. As a result of the investigations carried out, a product with a low P₂O₅ content, suitable for direct processing to secondary products has been prepared.     

Simulation studies on metastable phase equilibria in the aqueous ternary systems (NaCl-MgCl2-H2O) and (KCl-MgCl2-H2O) at 308.15 K

The solubilities and densities of the aqueous metastable ternary systems (NaCl-MgCl₂-H₂O) and (KCl-MgCl₂-H₂O) at 308.15 K were determined by the isothermal evaporation method. On the basis of the experimental results, the phase diagrams for those systems were plotted. It was found that the former system belongs to the hydrate-I type with one invariant point of (NaCl + MgCl₂·6H₂O), two univariant curves, and two crystallization regions corresponding to halite (NaCl) and bischo.te (MgCl₂6H₂O); and the latter system belongs to the type of incongruent-double salts with two invariant points of (KCl + KCl·MgCl₂6H₂O) and (MgCl₂·6H₂O + KCl·MgCl₂·6H₂O), three univariant curves, and three crystallization regions corresponding to potassium chloride (KCl), carnallite (KCl·MgCl₂·6H₂O) and bischofite (MgCl₂·6H₂O). No solid solutions were found in both systems.     

A green process for recovery of H2SO4 and Fe2O3 from FeSO4·7H2O by modeling phase equilibrium of the Fe(П)– –H+–Cl– system

Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate FeSO₄·7H₂O is a major waste produced in titanium dioxide industry by the sulfate process and has caused heavy environmental problem. A new green process for the treatment of FeSO₄·7H₂O was proposed to make use of iron source and recycle sulfate source as H₂SO₄. It was found that by adding concentrated HCl to the FeSO₄ solution, FeCl₂·4H₂O was crystallized out, which was subsequently calcined to produce Fe₂O₃ and HCl. Concentrated H₂SO₄ solution (about 65 wt %) was obtained by evaporating the FeCl₂·4H₂O‐saturated filtrate. To facilitate the process development and design, the solubilities of FeCl₂·4H₂O in HCl, H₂SO₄, and HCl + H₂SO₄ solutions were measured and the experimental data were regressed with both the mixed‐solvent electrolyte model and the electrolyte NRTL model. On the basis of the prediction of the optimum conditions for the crystallization of FeCl₂·4H₂O, material balance of the new process was calculated. FeCl₂·4H₂O and Fe₂O₃ were obtained from a laboratory‐scale test with about 70% recovery of ferrous source for a single cycle, indicating the feasibility of the process. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 4549–4563, 2017     

Rapid Synthesis of Mesoporous,Nano‐Sized MgCr2O4 and Its Catalytic Properties

Monophasic MgCr₂O₄ has been synthesized by calcining the gel formed by the addition of epoxide to an ethanolic solution containing MgCl₂·6H₂O and CrCl₃·6H₂O. The sample has been characterized by a variety of analytical techniques including powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), FT‐IR, Raman, UV–Visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and magnetic measurements at room temperature. Calcining the xerogel at 500°C and 700°C for 2 h yielded MgCr₂O₄ (yield of almost 61% by weight). BET surface area of 33.95 m²/g with an average pore diameter of 28.45 nm was obtained for the sample after calcination at 700°C. Square facets of the cubic spinel structure were observed in TEM images with an average crystallite diameter of 18 nm. HR‐TEM experiments and SAED measurements confirmed the spinel structure and negated the presence of other phases. The presence of MO₄ tetrahedral and MO₆ octahedral units in MgCr₂O₄ has also been evidenced from FTIR and Raman spectra. The sample showed paramagnetic behavior at room temperature with μ_eff of 3.54 B.M suggesting the presence of Cr in III oxidation state. Its use as an efficient catalyst for the oxidative degradation of Xylenol Orange (XO) and the photo degradation of Rhodamine‐6G (Rh‐6G) dyes have been demonstrated as these dye molecules are environmental pollutants.     

Microwave‐assisted Hydrothermal Synthesis of Single‐crystal Nanorods of Rhabdophane‐type Sr‐doped LaPO4·nH2O

A novel, simple, soft, and fast microwave‐assisted hydrothermal method was used for the preparation of single‐crystal nanorods of hexagonal rhabdophane‐type La_1?xSr_xPO_4?x/2·nH₂O (x = 0 or 0.02) from commercially available La(NO₃)₃·6H₂O, Sr(NO₃)₂, and H₃PO₄. The synthesis was conducted at 130°C for 20 min in a sealed‐vessel microwave reactor specifically designed for synthetic applications, and the resulting products were characterized using a wide battery of analytical techniques. Highly uniform, well‐shaped nanorods of LaPO₄·nH₂O and La_0.98Sr_0.02PO_3.99·nH₂O were readily obtained, with average length of 213 ± 41 nm and 102 ± 25 nm, average aspect ratio (ratio between length and diameter) of 21 ± 9 and 12 ± 5, and specific surface area of 45 ± 2 and 51 ± 1 m²/g, respectively. In both cases, the single‐crystal nanorods grew anisotropically along their c crystallographic‐axis direction. At 700°C, the hexagonal rhabdophane‐type phase has already transformed into the monoclinic monazite‐type structure, although the undoped and Sr‐doped nanorods retain their morphological features and specific surface area during calcination.     

Modification of poly(vinyl alcohol) films by the addition of magnesium chloride hexahydrate

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films modified with Magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl₂·6H₂O) were prepared by casting method. The prepared films were characterized by X‐ray diffraction measurements (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and mechanical testing. It was found that the presence of MgCl₂·6H₂O had considerable effects on the crystallinity, thermal, and mechanical properties of PVA films. The crystallization of PVA film was interrupted and the degree of crystallinity of PVA film decreased with the addition of MgCl₂·6H₂O. The glass transition temperature of PVA film decreased with the addition of MgCl₂·6H₂O. After modifying with MgCl₂·6H₂O, PVA film became soft, with lower tensile strength and higher elongation at break. The presence of MgCl₂·6H₂O could significantly increase the moisture content of PVA films and this may be the cause of the plasticizing. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Easy-care properties of simultaneously grafted and crosslinked cotton fabrics

The Concurrent grafting of acrylic acid (AA) and crosslinking of dimethylodihydroxyethyleneurea (DMDHEU) with cotton fabric in the presence of ammonium persulfate [(NH₄)₂S₂O₈)], magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgCl₂ · 6H₂O), and ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) catalysts were studied. These salts were separately used or as a binary mixture of (NH₄)₂S₂O₈/MgCl₂ · 6H₂O or (NH₄)₂S₂O₈/NH₄Cl. The pad–dry–cure method was employed for the fabric treatment under a variety of conditions. The latter include the nature and kind of the single catalyst as well as pair-mixed catalysts, the concentrations of the catalyst and AA, and temperature and duration of curing. The effects of these conditions on the values of the carboxyl content and crease recovery angle (CRA) of the treated fabrics were evaluted. The tensile strength, elongation at break, dyeability, aqueous and nonaqueous oily soiling, and soil-release properties of the treated fabrics were also examined. Results obtained indicated that all treated fabrics have superior properties, except tensile strength and elongation at break, as compared with the untreated fabric (control). However, beside the AA-grafting and DMDHEU-crosslinking reactions, there are other types of reactions catalyzed by the salts used, viz., the addition reactions between AA molecules and the cellulosic hydroxyls The tentative mechanisms for these reactions are suggested. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Decavanadate with a novel coordination complex: Synthesis and characterization of (NH4)2[Ni(H2O)5(NH3)]2(V10O28)·4H2O

A new compound (NH₄)₂[Ni(H₂O)₅(NH₃)]₂[V₁₀O₂₈]·4H₂O (1) containing a {V₁₀O₂₈} ⁶⁻ anionic cluster and a novel complex cation, [Ni(H₂O)₅(NH₃)]^2 +, has been synthesized and fully characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography, spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The presence of the ammonia ligand in the complex cation in 1 was established unambiguously by X-ray crystallography and variable temperature (200–400 °C) thermogravimetric analyses in combination with FTIR spectroscopic studies. The formation of the novel complex species {Ni(H₂O)₅(NH₃)}^2 + during the synthesis of 1 can be rationalized in terms of ligand substitution involving {Ni(H₂O)₆}^2 +.     

Photochemical reductive elimination of [PtIV(NH3)4(NH2)Cl]2 +: Photogeneration of hydrazine

When [Pt^IV(NH₃)₅Cl]^3 + is deprotonated the complex [Pt^IV(NH₃)₄(NH₂)Cl]^2 + is formed. Upon NH₂⁻ → Pt^IV LMCT excitation (λ_irr > 250 nm) a reductive elimination takes place: [Pt^IV(NH₃)₄(NH₂)Cl]^2 + → [Pt^II(NH₃)₃Cl]⁺ + N₂H₄ + H⁺. Since Pt(II) ammine complexes can be reoxidized to Pt(IV) by H₂O₂ it is suggested that in a cyclic process the overall reaction could proceed according to the equation: 2 NH₃ + H₂O₂ → N₂H₄ + 2 H₂O.     

Unexpected guest-controlled formation of two-layered structure in supramolecular adduct of [W3S4(H2O)9]4+ and cucurbituril

A new supramolecular adduct {[W₃S₄(H₂O)₈Cl][(PyH⊂C₃₆H₃₆N₂₄O₁₂)]}Cl₄·15.5H₂O (1·15.5H₂O) was obtained when pyridine was added to the reaction mixture of cucurbituril and [W₃S₄(H₂O)₉]⁴⁺ in 3 M HCl. X-ray crystal structure analysis of 1·15.5H₂O revealed layered motive of the structure with two different types of cucurbituril molecules. A PyH⁺ molecule is encapsulated in the cavity of each of the cucurbituril molecule. Under vacuum it loses 13.5 H₂O molecules and gives {[W₃S₄(H₂O)₈Cl][(PyH⊂C₃₆H₃₆N₂₄O₁₂)]}Cl₄·2H₂O (1·2H₂O).     

Salting‐out crystallisation using NH3 in a laboratory‐scale gas lift reactor

Despite the advantages offered by gas lift reactors with respect to high gas–liquid mass transfer with a low energy input, their acceptance in the crystallisation field has been slow, especially on an industrial scale. Potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, and magnesium chloride hexammoniate (MgCl₂·6NH₃) were crystallised in a laboratory‐scale gas lift crystalliser by salting‐out using ammonia gas. Ammonia mass transfer rates were calculated for each test. To achieve maximum crystal growth, the gas rate in these reactors needs to be optimised for each crystallising system to achieve sufficient gas mass transfer as well as providing sufficient crystal slurry agitation.     

High performance ZSM‐5 membranes on coarse macroporous α‐Al2O3 supports for dehydration of alcohols

High‐performance ZSM‐5 membranes with a low Si/Al ratio of 10.3 were prepared on cheap coarse macroporous α‐Al₂O₃ tubes by fluoride route without organic template. The effects of crystallization time and aluminum source on the growth, morphology and pervaporation (PV) performances of the as‐synthesized membranes were investigated. The feasibility of preparing ZSM‐5 membranes with different Si/Al ratio which was implemented by using different Al₂(SO₄)₃·18H₂O content in synthesis gel were discussed. It was found that the aluminum source had significant effect on the synthesis of membranes. The ZSM‐5 membranes prepared by using Al₂(SO₄)₃·18H₂O as an aluminum source from synthetic gel with composition of 1SiO₂/0.05Al₂O₃/0.17Na₂O/0.9NaF/45H₂O showed high reproducibility and high PV performance with flux of 3.85 kg/(m²·h) and separation factor of higher than 10,000 in dehydration of 90 wt % i‐PrOH/H₂O at 348 K. Moreover, the ZSM‐5 membranes exhibited high water perm‐selectivity performance for dehydration of 90 wt % n‐PrOH/H₂O, n‐BtOH/H₂O, and i‐BtOH/H₂O mixtures, respectively. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 2813–2824, 2016     

Metastable equilibrium for the quaternary system containing with lithium+potassium+magnesium+chloride in aqueous solution at 323K

The metastable equilibrium of the system contained with lithium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride in aqueous system was investigated at 323 K using an isothermal evaporation method. The isothermal experimental data and physicochemical properties, such as density and refractive index of the equilibrated solution, were determined. With the experimental results, the stereo phase diagram, the projected phase diagram, the water content diagram and the physicochemical properties versus composition diagrams were constructed. The projected phase diagram consists of three invariant points, seven univariant curves and five crystallization fields corresponding to single salts potassium chloride (KCl), lithium chloride monohydrate (LiCl·H₂O), bischofite (MgCl₂·6H₂O) and two double salts lithium carnallite (LiCl·MgCl₂·7H₂O) and potassium carnallite (KCl·MgCl₂·6H₂O). Salt KCl has the largest crystallization region; it contains almost 95% of the general crystallization field.     

Morphological study of spherical MgCl2.nEtOH supported TiCl4 Ziegler‐Natta catalyst for polymerization of ethylene

Spherical MgCl₂·nEtOH was prepared by adducting ethanol to MgCl₂ using melt quenching method. Effect of molar ratio of [EtOH]/[MgCl₂] = 2.8–3.05 on the morphology and particle size of the MgCl₂·nEtOH were studied. The best adduct of spherical morphology was obtained when 2.9 mol ethanol to 1 mol MgCl₂ was used. An emulsion of dissolved MgCl₂ in ethanol was prepared in a reactor containing silicon oil. Stirrer speed of the emulsion and its transfer rate to quenching section that work at ?10 to ?40°C are affected by the particle size of the adduct particle. The adducted ethanol was partially removed with controlled heat primary to catalyst preparation (support). Treatment of the support with excess TiCl₄ increased its surface area from 13.1 to 184.4 m²/g. Heterogeneous Ziegler‐Natta catalyst system of MgCl₂ (spherical)/TiCl₄ was prepared using the spherical support. Scanning electron microscopy studies of adduct, support, and catalyst obtained shown spherical particles, however, the polyethylene particles obtained have no regular morphology. The behavior indicates harsh conditions used for catalyst preparation, prepolymerization, and polymerization method used. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 3829–3834, 2006     

Solid-State NMR characterization of a superactive supported ziegler–natta catalyst

The formation of CH-type catalysts has been investigated by high-resolution and solid-state NMR. These catalysts are prepared from a soluble MgCl₂ and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol adduct (MgCl₂·3EH) by reaction with phthalic anhydride (PA) to form dioctylphthalate (DOP) and then with TiCl₄ in the presence of di-i-butylphthalate (BP). In the model systems MgCl₂·3EH/PA, MgCl₂/BP, and MgCl₂/TiCl₄/BP, the ester is complexed with MgCl₂ and /or TiCl₄ in two or more states. Only single-ester C?O and OCH₂ resonances are seen in TiCl₄/BP, probably due to exchange of ester coordinations. CH-catalysts prepared by three different procedures exhibit a single mode of bonding for the ester. The chemical shift values are consistent for ester complexed with MgCl₂. The most active and stereoselective catalyst has the most shielded chemical shift values for the C?O and —OCH₂— carbons, shortest T^H₁ and T^H_1p, and longest T_CH relaxation times. These parameters change monotonically with the decrease of activity and stereoselectivity of the catalyst preparation. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.