Question

$\left[ {{\text{CaC}}{{\text{O}}_3} \cdot {\text{MgC}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right]\xrightarrow{\Delta }{\text{CaO}} \cdot {\text{MgO}}\xrightarrow[{{{1150}^ \circ }{\text{C}}}]{{{\text{Fe/Si}}}}{\text{Mg}} + {\text{Fe}} + {\text{C}}{{\text{a}}_2}{\text{Si}}{{\text{O}}_4}$
Name of this process is ______.

Answer 1

Hint: In the given process we can see that magnesium metal is produced. Thus, the given process is used to produce magnesium metal. The initial substance is dolomite. Magnesium is produced by processing of dolomite. Dolomite is an ore of magnesium.

Complete step-by-step answer:
We are given a process as follows:
$\left[ {{\text{CaC}}{{\text{O}}_3} \cdot {\text{MgC}}{{\text{O}}_3}} \right]\xrightarrow{\Delta }{\text{CaO}} \cdot {\text{MgO}}\xrightarrow[{{{1150}^ \circ }{\text{C}}}]{{{\text{Fe/Si}}}}{\text{Mg}} + {\text{Fe}} + {\text{C}}{{\text{a}}_2}{\text{Si}}{{\text{O}}_4}$

The initial substance is dolomite. In the given process we can see that magnesium metal is produced. Magnesium is produced by processing of dolomite. Dolomite is an ore of magnesium. Dolomite contains calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. When dolomite is heated, calcium carbonate is converted to calcium oxide and magnesium carbonate is converted to magnesium oxide.

Later calcium oxide and magnesium oxide is mixed with ferrosilicon and then this mixture is heated at ${1150^ \circ }{\text{C}}$. The products of this reaction are magnesium, iron and calcium orthosilicate.
In the process, pure magnesium is produced. Thus, the process is used for the production of magnesium.
The process used for the production of magnesium from dolomite ore is known as the Pidgeon process. High purity magnesium metal is obtained in the Pidgeon process. The process is a silicothermic reduction process where silica is used as a reducing agent.

Thus, the name of the given process is the Pidgeon process.

Note: In the Pidgeon process, finely powdered dolomite ore is heated to convert it to calcium oxide and magnesium oxide. The calcium oxide and magnesium oxide are then mixed with ferrosilicon. The mixture of calcium oxide, magnesium oxide and ferrosilicon is heated to obtain highly pure magnesium metal.