Optimizing Vacuum Silicothermic Reduction of Calcined Dolomite

In production of magnesium by vacuum silicothermic reduction of calcined dolomite, Pidgeon process, experimental parameters such as temperature, time, density of briquettes and the ratio of stoichiometric requirement of silicon can be employed to control reduction efficiency and silicon efficiency. To model the effects of these parameters on reduction process, a basic statistical approach was utilized. Experimental data are inputs to the model. What about response of The model was compared with actual reduction data, in which temperature, time, density of briquettes and the ratio of stoichiometric requirement for reduction, were varied. A statistical "design of experiments" approach was undertaken in process experimentation and the optimium conditions of Pidgeon process were determined