Apparatus and method for producing magnesium from seawater

Abstract

A system for producing elemental magnesium (Mg) from seawater having a cell with a pair of permeable membranes which define an anodic compartment with an anode therein and a cathodic compartment with a cathode therein. A space is provided between the pair of membranes through which seawater is allowed to freely flow. A source of electric current is connected to the anode and cathode to charge the compartments in order to cause ions within the seawater to pass from the space into the compartments whereby positive and negative ions are separated. The electric charge associated with the cathode causes the seawater to decompose into H 2 and (OH—) 2 and positively charged magnesium ions within the seawater pass through the cathodic permeable membrane to combine with the (OH—) 2 to form magnesium hydroxide precipitates.

1 . An apparatus for collecting magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH) 2  from seawater comprising: 
 (a) a cell having compartments separated by at least a pair of permeable membranes which create anodic and cathodic compartments, said anodic compartment having an anode therein and said cathodic compartment having a cathode therein;    (b) a space provided between said pair of membranes through which said seawater is allowed to freely flow;    (c) a source of electric current connected to said anode and cathode to charge said compartments so as to allow seawater to pass from said space and through said membranes and into said compartments whereby positive and negative ions are separated; and    (d) means for collecting magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH) 2 ) precipitates formed in said cathodic compartment.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising means for collecting hydrogen gas produced in said cathodic compartment.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising means for discharging said hydrogen gas collected in said cathodic compartment.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for collecting chlorine gas produced in said anodic compartment.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising means for discharging said chlorine gas collected in said anodic compartment.