Since the launch of the "100-Day Integration and Renewal Initiative," Qinghai Salt Lake Magnesium Industry Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Salt Lake Magnesium") has dedicated its efforts to the research, application, and key technology breakthroughs in the anhydrous magnesium chloride electrolysis project in salt lakes. Guided by the strategy of "breaking through ideological barriers to achieve developmental breakthroughs," the company has focused on technological bottlenecks and production targets, successfully overcoming multiple core challenges. The project's key indicators have comprehensively surpassed contractual agreements, laying a solid foundation for the efficient utilization of magnesium resources in salt lakes.
The melting and purification system has operated continuously and stably.
Since the melting and purification furnace of the project entered normal production on January 4, it has operated continuously and stably for 118 days, producing a cumulative total of 1,260.8 mt of qualified magnesium chloride melt. The recovery rate of magnesium chloride reached 99.12%, with magnesium oxide content steadily controlled below 0.06%. This marks the successful construction of the melting and purification system, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent stable production of electrolytic cells.
The electrolysis system has achieved remarkable innovative results.
After nearly a year of collaborative transformation, the project's electrolysis system's 4# multipolar cell was initiated on February 6, maintaining a continuous current of 170 kA. As of April 30, the 4# electrolytic cell had been in operation for 80 days, producing a total of 292.705 mt of magnesium liquid, with an average daily production of approximately 4 mt. The purity of the magnesium liquid has remained steadily above 99.95%, reaching a peak of 99.97%. The direct current consumption per ton of magnesium has been reduced to a minimum of 10,402.6 kWh. A cumulative total of 265 mt of magnesium ingots have been cast, successfully addressing the issue of excessive nickel content.
The supporting systems have achieved collaborative breakthroughs.
Currently, the project's chlorine gas purification system is operating stably, with the chlorine gas concentration at the electrolytic cell outlet maintained between 96% and 99%. The concentration of chlorine gas input to the PVC plant remains stable above 95%, achieving an initial chlorine balance and effectively reducing magnesium production costs. The research and application project on key technologies for anhydrous magnesium chloride electrolysis in salt lakes has completed the construction content stipulated in the contract, with all project test technical indicators surpassing the contractual requirements.
Next, Salt Lake Magnesium, under the guidance and support of the technology department of the group company, will fully leverage the integrated advantages of Minmetals' entire industry chain. Combining the results of pilot tests, the company will systematically conduct techno-economic analysis and engineering design, jointly formulate an implementation plan for technology transfer and industrialization, and promote the rapid transformation of scientific research achievements into large-scale production. By empowering industrial innovation through technological innovation, the company aims to achieve the integrated development of technological and industrial innovation, contributing to the construction of a world-class salt lake industrial base.
