Abstract: A process for producing coated magnesium granules or powder having a protective surface layer selected from the group consisting essentially of magnesium fluoride, magnesium oxyfluoride and magnesium hydroxyfluoride by contacting magnesium particles with a fluoride-containing compound to form the layer of magnesium fluoride on the magnesium particles.

Abstract: Magnesium metal is produced in a two-stage chemicothermal process employing metallothermic reduction of MgO using Al metal, present in an Al alloy, as the reducing metal in one stage according to the reaction2Al + 3MgO .sup..DELTA. 3Mg + Al.sub.2 O.sub.3and employing a carbothermic reduction,Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 + 3C .sup..DELTA. 2Al + 3COin the other stage to regenerate the Al metal for recycling back to the metallothermic reduction step. The process substantially avoids the reversion reaction, Mg + CO .fwdarw. MgO + C, by separating the formation of Mg from that of CO (carbon monoxide) and does not rely on having to remove slag from the reactors.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for gravitational separation of solids and liquid from a suspension wherein the suspension is flowed through a multiplicity of non-connected, substantially non-nesting contactors whose external surfaces are substantially non-planar to facilitate contact of the suspension with more contactor surfaces and to prevent the alignment of the contactors in such a manner so as to present the suspension flow with substantially horizontal or substantially vertical contact surfaces.