The
pilot-scale production of two magnesium citrate products, using
a waste bittern discharged from a salt work as the raw material, was
conducted in this study. Magnesium citrate nonahydrate and anhydrous
magnesium citrate were prepared via crystallization and spray drying
techniques, respectively, and characterized for purity, crystalline
structure, particle shape, particle size distribution, and other properties.
The material and energy costs were estimated based on technical data
obtained from the pilot trials in conjunction with specific energy
consumption of equivalent industrial-scale equipment. The costs were
used to evaluate and compare the economic feasibility of both processes
on a commercial scale. Although the material and energy costs at US$
924 and US$ 33–81 per tonne, respectively, required to make
magnesium citrate nonahydrate are lower than for anhydrous magnesium
citrate at US$ 1256 and US$ 141 per tonne, respectively, the higher
market price of anhydrous magnesium citrate at US$ 5000 per tonne
compared to US$ 3000 per tonne for the hydrated form suggests production
via spray drying is potentially the more profitable approach.