Synthesis of Magnesium Carbonate Using Indonesian Dolomite

Magnesium carbonate is important material used in certain industries. It is used as raw materials for drug making in pharmacy, as filler in painting industry, as raw material for magnesium metal making, as nutrient element in fertilizer, etc. Natural source of magnesium carbonate in Indonesia is mainly in the form of dolomite mineral. The larger deposit of dolomite in Indonesia is located in East Java. Through a series of unit process that consist of roasting, carbonation, and nucleation, the dolomite from East Java Indonesia has been converted into ultra fine grain magnesium carbonate. Since the process does not utilize harmful compound and does not produce harmful waste, it can be classified as environmental friendly process. Roasting process was operated at temperature range of 600 – 1000oC. It is found that dolomite can be converted to magnesium and calcium oxide at this range of temperature. The mean particle size of magnesium carbonate obtained through this process is around 1.073 micron. Advanced Materials Research Vol. 1112 (Advanced Materials Research and Production)