The Bureau of Mines studied repetitive batch electrowinning of molybdenum from molybdic oxide (MoO3) to determine the effects upon the electrolyte life, purity of metal product, and overall cell performance. The electrolyte consisted of 54.0 weight-percent sodium tetraborate (Na2B4O7), 23.6 weight-percent sodium chloride (NaC1), 14.9 weight-percent sodium fluoride (NaF), and 7.5 weight-percent MoO3. The feed materials were pure and technical-grade MoO3. Electrolysis was conducted at 1,000°C in a graphite cell in an atmosphere of air and carbon oxides. Electrolyte degradation did not occur during repetitive winning of molybdenum from pure MoO3 in an 8-day (5,400-ampere-hour) period of operation, Electrowon metal contained
The Bureau of Mines studied repetitive batch electrowinning of molybdenum from molybdic oxide (MoO3) to determine the effects upon the electrolyte life, purity of metal product, and overall cell performance. The electrolyte consisted of 54.0 weight-percent sodium tetraborate (Na2B4O7), 23.6 weigh...