Investigation on Electro oxidation of Molybdenite Concentrate and Reduction in Energy Consumption

In this research, dissolution of molybdenite through electro-oxidation of molybdenite concentrate in alkaline electrolyte solution was investigated. Effect of various parameters, including operating potential, liquid to solid ratio, NaCl concentration and distance between electrodes on the dissolution of molybdenite and the consumed electric energy within the electrochemical cell was studied. The results show that, dissolution of molybdenite was increased by increasing operating potential, liquid to solid ratio and NaCl concentration. The same was increased by increasing the distance between electrodes up to 10 mm, while for further distances the latter decreased. The energy consumption increased by increasing operating potential, liquid to solid ratio, and the distance between electrodes. The consumed energy also decreased by increasing NaCl concentration up to 100 g/L, while for further salt concentrations the latter increased. At optimum conditions including operating potential of 3 V, liquid to solid ratio of 200 mL/g, NaCl concentration of 100 g/L, distance between electrodes of 10 mm, and a period of 4 hours operation, the efficiency of molybdenum recovery and energy consumption were 70.41% and 5.56 kWh, respectively, per kilogram of molybdenite concentrate.