Magnesium chloride . Ionic mineral compound based on chlorine , negatively charged, and magnesium , positively charged. It is a weak acid. Its use in food brings great advantages to health.
Summary
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- 1 Formula
- 2 Composition and properties
- 3 Uses
- 1 Culinary use
- 2 Use as antifreeze
- 3 Use in hydrogen storage
- 4 Obtaining magnesium
- 5 Applications
- 6 Sources
Formula
MgCl2
Composition and properties
Ionic mineral compound based on chlorine, negatively charged, and magnesium, positively charged. It is a weak acid. It can be presented in anhydrous, bi-hydrated or hexahydrated form. This last compound appears as rhomboid crystals of great ornamental beauty.
Applications
Magnesium chloride has a wide variety of uses. It is used in the manufacture of textiles, paper, fire retardants, cement and in refrigeration.
Culinary use
Magnesium chloride is an important coagulant used in the preparation of cheese from soy milk. In Japan it is sold as nigari, a term derived from the Japanese word for bitter (nigai), a white powder obtained from sea water after removing sodium chloride and water. Nigari also contains magnesium sulfate and other substances in smaller quantities or trace elements.
Use as antifreeze
In some areas of the planet, the use of sodium chloride to prevent ice formation decreased and the use of liquid magnesium chloride as an antifreeze increased. Magnesium Chloride is sprayed on dry pavement, especially on airport runways, before it snows or on wet pavement before freezing temperatures are achieved in the winter months to prevent snow and ice from sticking to the tracks. The use of antifreeze is an advance in safety. Regarding the use of magnesium chloride as antifreeze, there are two types due to electrolytic effects: the contamination of the freezers, which causes arcs to form through them, and the corrosion of steel and aluminum, which affects poles and other infrastructure.
Use in hydrogen storage
Magnesium chloride has established itself as a storage material for hydrogen. The ammonia (NH3), which is rich in atoms of hydrogen , is used as material intermediate storage. This can be effectively absorbed on solid magnesium chloride, forming hexammonium dichloride (NH4) 6Cl2. The ammonia is then displaced by mild heat and then passed through a catalyst that breaks it down to produce hydrogen.
Obtaining magnesium
It is achieved by the Dow process using natural brine or water to drink . Quenched lime is reacted with Mg2 + obtaining magnesium hydroxide , which in turn reacts with HCl forming MgCl2 and water. The MgCl2 is smelted followed by electrolysis. Obtaining metallic magnesium and chlorine gas. The latter is converted into hydrochloric acid which is recycled.
Applications
It is a food without contraindications that revives the vital functions of the organs and balances the entire organism, balances the nervous system, causes excellent results in cases of inflammation of the prostate in men, an adjunct in the treatment of osteoporosis, due to its action Calcium fixative , prevents the formation of kidney stones, stabilizes the pressure and therefore prevents heart attacks