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Electrochemical sensor for measuring magnesium content in molten aluminium

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Abstract

Design, construction, and tests of magnesium electrochemical sensors using molten salt electrolytes and pure magnesium metal reference are described. Alumina as well as magnesia membrane thimbles were synthesized to use as the supporting matrixes for the liquid electrolytes. Binary as well as ternary salt mixtures containing M9Cl2 were impregnated in thimbles of various pore sizes. The accuracy, response time, and service life of the sensors were evaluated. The magnesium contents from the electromotive force (e.m.f.) measurements were comparable with those from the atomic absorption analysis. All sensors responded instantly to the changes of magnesium concentration in aluminium melt. The service life was between 2 to 6 h and the minimum initial equilibration time was 2 min, depending mainly on the pore size of the magnesia thimble and the electrolyte salt mixture in use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining and Mineral Engineering, Leeds University, LS2 9JT, Leeds, Great Britain

    L. Zhang & D. J. Fray

  2. VITO, Division of Energy, Boeretang 200, B-2400, Mol, Belgium

    J. Vangrunderbeek & F. de Schutter

Authors
  1. L. Zhang
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  2. D. J. Fray
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  3. J. Vangrunderbeek
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  4. F. de Schutter
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Zhang, L., Fray, D.J., Vangrunderbeek, J. et al. Electrochemical sensor for measuring magnesium content in molten aluminium. J Appl Electrochem 26, 269–275 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00242095

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00242095

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