Metal recovery from spent Ni-Mo-V hydrodesulphurisation catalyst in oxalic acid media by mechanochemical treatment

ABSTRACT

The spent hydrodesulphurisation (HDS) catalysts used for the removal of sulphur from petroleum products can be a secondary source of especially Mo and V. This work describes the mechanochemical extraction of Mo, Ni, V, Al and P from spent petrochemical catalysts in H₂C₂O₄. The effect of rotational speed, H₂C₂O₄ concentration, ball to the dust weight ratio and solid-to-liquid ratio on the extraction rate of roasted spent catalyst was investigated. The reactions proceed with an increase in H₂C₂O₄ concentration for extraction of Mo, V and P. The reactions for the extraction of Mo, V and P proceed with an increase in H₂C₂O₄ concentration, but the dissolution behaviour of Ni is different from other elements. 87% of Mo, 44% of Ni, 82% of V, 36% of Al and 78% of P were extracted at optimum experimental conditions.

KEYWORDS:

• Mechanochemical processing
• spent catalyst wastes
• recovery
• molybdenum
• vanadium

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).