Investigation of Molybdenite Concentrate Roasting in Chamber and Rotary Furnaces

Extraction and processing constitute an important area in the metallurgy of molybdenum. Molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) production is one of the most important stages in molybdenum production. In this study, the effects of different furnace types on MoO₃ production were investigated by using molybdenum concentrate as a raw material obtained during the enrichment of copper ores. Preliminary experiments have been made using a chamber type furnace, and a transition to a pilot-scale has been carried out with rotary kiln experiments. The effects of a different time and atmospheric conditions on MoO₃ roasting kinetics were investigated by experimental studies conducted in the temperature range of 500–650°C. It was determined that the optimum temperature and time for sulfur (S) removal was 625°C and 180 min in the studies carried out in the rotary kiln, and it was determined that 0.61% S content was reached with an average removal efficiency of 98%. The activation energy in these sets was calculated as 89.519 kJ/mol.