Magnesium Chloride Uses

A colorless and odorless chemical compound, magnesium chloride is chemically represented as MgCl₂. As its very name suggests, the compound comprises of magnesium and chloride. It is highly soluble in water, bitter to taste and extracted easily from brine or sea water (generally found in hydrated form). The chemical compound finds usage in a number of areas, right from industrial to medicinal to dietary. In case you want to explore the uses of magnesium chloride further, the following lines will surely come handy.

 

 

One of the main uses of magnesium chloride is in the form of an anti-icer on roadways. In the winter season, the chemical compound is sprayed on pavements, in its liquid form, before precipitation. This helps reduce the formation of snow and ice on the surface of the road, in turn preventing the vehicles from skidding and ensuring road safety.

 

When in crystalline form, magnesium chloride can be effectively used to de-ice sidewalks and driveways of home and offices. This application takes place on accumulated ice, after the precipitation. Using the chemical compound helps in quick removal of ice, while doing no harm to plant life that might be present alongside or the concrete that may have been used therein.

 

Magnesium chloride is commonly used in places like excavation sites, indoor sport arenas and race courses, as it tends to absorb moisture from air. As it is used on dusty places, either in liquid or powdered form, the dust gets suppressed on to the floor. With this, the area gets relieved of the problem of small dust particles spreading into the air.

 

One of the most important uses of magnesium chloride is in the storage of hydrogen gas. Ammonia, which is rich in hydrogen, can be absorbed on the surface of solid magnesium chloride, in the form of Mg(NH3)6Cl2. Later, as mild heat is applied to Mg(NH3)6Cl2, the ammonia gets easily released from magnesium chloride. Then, as the released ammonia is passed through a catalyst, hydrogen gas is obtained.

 

Magnesium chloride, being a rich source of magnesium, is used in medicine as well. It proves to be an effective nutritional supplement, in the form of tablets as well as capsules, for people with magnesium deficiency. Otherwise also, a dose of magnesium chloride can protect a person from contracting serious ailments, like heart attack and osteoporosis. However, it is not good for people with kidney disease or allergies.

 

Other Uses