Chlorinating magnesium chloride salts

Appts. for chlorinating molten magnesium chloride salts comprises a downwardly tapering casing with closed top and bottom and reflectory lining, the inlet for the starting smelt and the discharge for the chlorinated smelt are located in the upper part, and the inlet for chlorine near the bottom. Near this chlorine inlet, the cross-section of the chamber is at most 0.3 times the cross-section at the level of the inlet and outlet for the smelt. Opt. an upwardly tapering dividing wall is mounted on the base and the chlorine inlet is subdivided into two inlets, one on either side of this wall. The height from the base to the top of this wall is at least twice the height from the base to the chlorine inlets. Used for the electrolytic prodn. of magnesium and chlorine by the chlorination of molten magnesium chloride salts, esp. for chlorinating the prod. of magnesium chloride hydrolysis in a chloride salts smelt having a compsn. approaching that of carnallite. The appts. improves the speed of circulation of the smelt within the furnace and thus inhibits the deposition of sludge on the base of the vessel and improves efficiency.