Abstract:
This research studies the optimum condition for recovery molybdenum from spent hydrodesulphurization (HDS) catalyst by electrochemical method. The studied parameters are types of electrolyte, concentrations of electrolytes, current density, types of electrode and ratio of solid per solvent. The result showed that the optimum condition is 2 mol/L of sulfuric acid, current density 132 A/m2, used carbon as cathode and Ti/RuO2 as anode. Molybdenum could be leached up to 2,287 mg at 180 minutes. To compare leaching method; three method are used: direct leaching, leaching spent HDS catalyst in cloth bag without applying current and leaching spent HDS catalyst in cloth bag with apply current. The results showed that applying current could increase leaching molybdenum more without applying current process but it less than direct leaching process because spent HDS catalyst in cloth bag could not contact directly with solvent.