Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Electrolytic recovery of molybdenum from molybdic oxide and molybenum sesquisulfide

  • Electrometallurgy
  • Published:
Metallurgical Transactions B Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An electrolytic process for molybdenum extraction in a KCl−K3MoCl4 electrolyte (containing approximately 7.5 wt pct molybdenum) was investigated using three types of anode feed —namely, molybdic oxide-graphite, molybdenum sesquisulfide-graphite, and molybdenum sesquisulfide without graphite. In the case of molybdic oxide-graphite anode, a maximum current efficiency of 99 pct was achieved at an operating voltage of 0.35V, a cathode current density of 5000 A/m2 (450 A/f2) and a bath temperature of 1223 K. Electrolysis with molybdenum sesquisulfide-graphite, at an operating voltage of 1.2V, a cathode current density of 13,900 A/m2 (1250 A/f2) and a bath temperature of 1173 K, yielded a maximum current efficiency of 84 pct. Electrolysis of molybdenum sesquisulfide without graphite incorporation, yielded under almost similar conditions, a maximum current efficiency of 87 pct. Extended electrolysis was carried out using molybdic oxide-graphite and molybdenum sesquisulfide cell charges and yielded metal with purity over 99.9 pct.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. H. J. Heinen and J. B. Zadra: U.S. Bur. Mines Rept. Invest. No. 6444, 1964, p. 17.

  2. H. J. Heinen and D. H. Baker, Jr.: U.S. Bur. Mines Rept. Invest. No. 6834, 1966, p. 11.

  3. H. J. Heinen, C. L. Barber, and D. H. Baker, Jr.: U.S. Bur. Mines Rept. Invest. No. 6590, 1965, p. 14.

  4. A. K. Suri and C. K. Gupta:J. Less-Common Metals, 1973, vol. 31, no. 3, p. 389.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. T. K. Mukherjee and C. K. Gupta:Met. Trans, 1974, vol. 5. p. 707.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. T. K. Mukherjee, G. R. Kamat, and C. K. Gupta: Accepted for publication inTrans. Indian Inst. Metals.

  7. O. K. Mehra, D. K. Bose, and C. K. Gupta:Met. Trans., 1973 vol. 4, p. 691.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. A. K. Suri, D. K. Bose, and C. K. Gupta.Met. Trans., 1974, vol. 5, p. 451.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. A. K. Suri and C. K. Gupta.Trans. Indian Inst. Metals, 1973, vol. 26, no. 6, p. 19.

    Google Scholar 

  10. C. E. Wicks and F. E. Block: U.S. Bur. Mines Bull. No. 605, No. 13622, Dec. 1961.

  11. F. P. Haver, K. Uchida, and M. M. Wong: U.S. Bur. Mines Rept. Invst. No. 7185, 1968, p. 15.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Metallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Bombay

    A. K. Suri (Scientific Officer) & C. K. Gupta (Scientific Officer)

Authors
  1. A. K. Suri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. K. Gupta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The paper presents a part of the thesis submitted by A. K. Suri to the University of Bombay, India.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Suri, A.K., Gupta, C.K. Electrolytic recovery of molybdenum from molybdic oxide and molybenum sesquisulfide. Metall Trans B 6, 453–456 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02913831

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02913831

Keywords

Search

Navigation