Molybdenum Solvent Extraction Mo SX Tank Selection
Molybdenum Solvent Extraction (Mo SX from Copper-Leach Raffinate, Uranium-Mill Ammonium-Diuranate ADU Mother-Liquor, Sodium-Molybdate Solution from Roasted-MoS2 Concentrate, and By-Product Mo Streams at Molybdenum Oxide MoO3, Ferromolybdenum FeMo, Ammonium-Heptamolybdate (NH4)6Mo7O24-4H2O, Ammonium-Dimolybdate (NH4)2Mo2O7, Sodium-Molybdate Na2MoO4, and Pure-Mo Metal Production at Climax Henderson Colorado, Bingham Canyon Utah, Sierrita + Bagdad + Morenci + Pinto Valley Arizona, Thompson Creek + Endako Idaho, Mexicana de Cobre La Caridad, Antamina + Toquepala Peru, Sur Andes Andina + El Teniente Chuquicamata Chile, and Global Copper-Moly + Primary-Moly Refinery Operations) — Tank Selection at SX Mixer-Settler, Strip-Train, and Adjacency Service
Molybdenum solvent extraction (Mo SX; matrix of dissolved molybdate MoO4(2-) + ammonium-molybdate (NH4)2MoO4 + sodium-molybdate Na2MoO4 + thiomolybdate MoS4(2-) + iron-molybdate Fe(MoO4) + copper + iron + tungsten + rhenium + uranium + vanadium + minor metal impurity in aqueous and loaded organic phase; extractant systems include tertiary-amine R3N (Alamine 336 + Adogen 364 trioctyl/tridecyl-amine) at acidic-Mo loading + ammonium-strip; tri-n-butyl-phosphate TBP at neutral-acid Mo loading; alpha-hydroxime LIX 622N + LIX 84I + ACORGA M5640 at copper-Mo separation; di-2-ethylhexyl-phosphoric-acid D2EHPA + Cyanex 272 + 921 + 923 phosphine-oxide at Mo + Re separation; supplied as ready-to-use kerosene + isoparaffinic-diluent + extractant blend at 5-30 vol% extractant + 70-95 vol% Exxon Isopar M + Exxon Solvesso 150 + Shell ShellSol D70 + Phillips Soltrol 170 diluent; aqueous feed phase pH 1-3 acidic SX or pH 7-9 alkaline strip; specific gravity 0.78-0.82 organic + 1.05-1.20 aqueous; flash-point 60-75C diluent + 200-300C extractant; supplied to refinery at 250-330-gallon poly tote + 5,000-15,000-gallon UL-142 carbon-steel diluent storage + 5,000-15,000-gallon FRP or steel extractant storage; refinery internal Mo SX circuit recirculates organic at 50-1000 gpm with 20-200 m3 organic-phase total inventory) is the dominant Mo + Re purification + recovery + separation chemistry at modern copper-moly + primary-moly + uranium + tungsten + nickel-cobalt-PGM hydrometallurgical refineries that recover molybdenum from copper-leach raffinate + roasted-MoS2 sodium-molybdate solution + uranium-mill ammonium-diuranate ADU mother-liquor + by-product Mo streams at the integrated copper + Mo + Re + U + Cu refinery operation.
U.S. Loaded-Mo organic + Mo strip-liquor + ammonium-heptamolybdate AHM + ammonium-dimolybdate ADM + Mo metal product internal to refinery + shipped as finished product at 1000-2200-pound supersack or fiber-drum for downstream Mo-metal + ferromolybdenum + Mo-chemical customer.
The eight sections below cite OSHA Hazard Communication 29 CFR 1910.1200 + 1910.1000 amine + phosphate + petroleum-distillate PEL + 29 CFR 1910.106 flammable-and-combustible-liquid storage + MSHA 30 CFR 56/57 + EPA Method 6010 + 6020 metal analytical + EPA Method 8260 + 8270 organic analytical + EPA NPDES + state-specific mining-discharge permit + EPA SPCC + state-specific organic-bearing process-solution code + NFPA 30 Class IIIA + IIIB combustible-liquid storage + IFC Chapter 57 + DOT 49 CFR 173 (kerosene UN 1223 Class 3 PG III + extractant typically not regulated as hazardous) + EPCRA 313 TRI + state-specific air-permit fugitive-emission framework at routine operating practice at North American + Latin-American + global copper-moly + primary-moly + uranium-mill + nickel-cobalt-PGM Mo SX operations.
1. Material Compatibility Matrix
Molybdenum SX organic phase at 5-30 vol% tertiary-amine + TBP + alpha-hydroxime extractant + 70-95 vol% kerosene-isoparaffinic-diluent at 25-50C is a moderately corrosive flammable hydrocarbon process liquid with combustible-liquid + chemical-compatibility + flash-point + static-electricity considerations on construction. Aqueous Mo SX feed + raffinate at pH 1-3 acidic + Mo + Cu + Fe + Re impurity matrix at 25-50C is a moderately corrosive acidic process solution. HDPE + XLPE + FRP vinyl-ester + 304 + 316L stainless are the dominant construction materials at Mo SX service across the mixer-settler + organic-storage + strip-tank + adjacency network. Note operating-discipline considerations: combustible-liquid discipline (kerosene-diluent flash-point 60-75C drives NFPA 30 Class IIIA storage + bonded-grounded transfer + venting + fire-suppression + class-rated electrical area + spill containment + dike requirements at every diluent + extractant + organic-phase tank), chemical-compatibility-with-extractant discipline (long-hold contact between alpha-hydroxime extractant + ferric-iron-bearing aqueous drives extractant degradation to inactive-loaded-organic + crud accumulation; extraction-stage residence-time + organic:aqueous ratio + temperature management is routine; periodic extractant-strength assay + replacement-makeup at 6-18 month frequency), crud-accumulation discipline (SX mixer-settler interface accumulates organic + solid crud at typical 0.5-3% by volume of organic phase; crud-treatment via clay-tower + filter + centrifuge to recover entrained organic + reduce organic-loss is routine SX operating practice), and static-electricity discipline (low-conductivity hydrocarbon diluent + extractant generates static-electric charge at high-velocity transfer + filtration + agitation; bonding + grounding + slow-fill + anti-static-additive + relaxation-time discipline at every transfer is mandatory per API RP 2003 + 2219 framework).
| Material | Mo SX Organic @ 25C | Mo SX Aqueous @ 50C | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDPE rotomolded | B | A | STANDARD at aqueous Mo + raffinate + reagent + sample + adjacency service across the 1,500-10,000-gallon range; B-rated at organic SX-phase service due to limited hydrocarbon resistance; not preferred at organic-phase storage |
| XLPE rotomolded | B | A | Standard at aqueous service + B-rated at organic service |
| Polypropylene (PP) | B | A | Standard at aqueous service + B-rated at organic service; not preferred at organic-phase storage |
| FRP vinyl-ester resin | A | A | STANDARD at aqueous + organic-phase + mixer-settler + crud-treatment service across the 5,000-2,000,000-gallon scale; vinyl-ester or hydrocarbon-grade resin specification |
| FRP polyester resin | A | A | Standard at lower-temperature aqueous + organic + mixer-settler service |
| 304 stainless steel | A | B | Standard at organic-phase + extractant + diluent storage; B-rated at acidic Mo aqueous service due to chloride sensitivity |
| 316L stainless steel | A | A | Premium at organic + aqueous + analytical-lab service |
| Carbon steel UL-142 | A | NR | STANDARD at kerosene-isoparaffinic-diluent storage at 5,000-15,000-gallon UL-142 specification; NOT recommended at acidic Mo aqueous service |
| Carbon steel rubber-lined | A | A | Standard at primary mixer-settler + crud-treatment vessel; natural-rubber or chlorobutyl-rubber liner |
| Aluminum 5083 / 6061 | NR | NR | NOT recommended; aluminum is rapidly attacked by acidic Mo aqueous |
| EPDM | NR | A | NOT recommended at organic-phase service; standard at aqueous gasket + lining |
| Viton (FKM) | A | A | STANDARD at organic + aqueous gasket + lining + pump + valve seat at SX service |
| Nitrile (Buna-N) | B | B | Acceptable at brief contact only; not preferred at long-hold |
| PTFE | A | A | Premium gasket + diaphragm + valve seat at organic + aqueous service |
| PVC Sch 80 | NR | A | NOT recommended at organic-phase service; standard at piping at aqueous service |
| CPVC Sch 80 | NR | A | NOT recommended at organic-phase service; preferred at higher-temperature aqueous piping |
The dominant industrial pattern at North American + Latin-American + global Mo SX operations is FRP vinyl-ester resin construction at the larger 5,000-2,000,000-gallon mixer-settler + organic-phase storage + crud-treatment vessel, 304 + 316L stainless steel at the diluent + extractant + analytical-lab service, UL-142 carbon-steel construction at the kerosene-diluent storage at 5,000-15,000-gallon scale, and HDPE rotomolded tank at the 1,500-10,000-gallon aqueous Mo + raffinate + acid-makedown + reagent + sample + analytical-lab + adjacency service. OneSource Plastics' 5-brand HDPE network (Norwesco, Snyder Industries, Chem-Tainer, Enduraplas, Bushman) covers the typical 1,500-10,000-gallon Mo SX aqueous-side adjacency specification across the standard envelope; primary 5,000-2,000,000-gallon mixer-settler + organic-phase + crud-treatment vessel typically calls FRP vinyl-ester construction outside our HDPE 5-brand scope; UL-142 + AST diluent storage outside HDPE scope. We refer those specifications to qualified FRP + UL-142 carbon-steel tank fabricators.
2. Real-World Industrial Use Cases
Copper-Moly Roaster Mo Recovery (Dominant Use at Copper-Moly Mine). Copper-moly mine operations roast copper-moly flotation concentrate at 600-700C in multiple-hearth + fluid-bed roaster + recover sulfur-dioxide for sulfuric-acid production; recovered Mo as roasted-MoS2 + MoO3 + soluble-Mo is leached in sodium-hydroxide or sodium-carbonate solution to produce sodium-molybdate Na2MoO4 solution at 50-200 g/L Mo + extracted via tertiary-amine R3N or TBP SX to ammonium-strip + crystallized as ammonium-heptamolybdate AHM (NH4)6Mo7O24-4H2O + ammonium-dimolybdate ADM (NH4)2Mo2O7 + Mo metal product. Storage envelope: FRP vinyl-ester or rubber-lined carbon-steel mixer-settler + crud-treatment + strip-tank at 5,000-2,000,000-gallon scale; HDPE rotomolded aqueous Mo + acid-makedown + reagent + sample at 1,500-10,000-gallon scale.
Primary-Moly Mine Mo Recovery. Primary-moly mine operations (Climax Henderson Mountain Pass + Thompson Creek + Endako + Mt Emmons + Mt Hope + Niblack + Greenland Resources Malmbjerg) operate without copper concentrator; mine + mill MoS2 concentrate is roasted to MoO3 + sodium-carbonate + ammonium-hydroxide leach + Mo SX + AHM + ADM + ferromolybdenum FeMo product. Storage envelope: same as copper-moly.
Uranium-Mill Mo By-Product Recovery. Uranium mill operations (Cameco McArthur River + Key Lake Saskatchewan + Energy Fuels White Mesa Mill Utah + Cogema McLean Lake Saskatchewan) recover Mo by-product from sulfuric-acid + carbonate-leach raffinate post-uranium-removal at 0.05-0.5 g/L Mo via tertiary-amine SX + ammonium-strip + Mo concentrate sale to downstream Mo-chemical + Mo-metal customer. Storage envelope: FRP vinyl-ester or rubber-lined carbon-steel mixer-settler + ammonium-strip-tank + AHM-crystallizer + HDPE adjacency at the smaller scale.
Re Recovery from Mo Concentrate. Rhenium Re by-product from copper-moly + primary-moly roasted-MoO3 + scrubber-acid solution is recovered via D2EHPA + Cyanex 272 + 921 + 923 phosphine-oxide SX + ammonium-perrhenate APR (NH4)ReO4 crystallization at the dedicated Re recovery circuit at the integrated Mo refinery. Storage envelope: smaller-scale FRP vinyl-ester or stainless mixer-settler + crystallizer outside HDPE scope.
Tungsten W Recovery from Scheelite + Wolframite. Tungsten mine operations (American Tungsten + Almonty Sangdong Korea + Wolfram Camp Australia) operate sodium-carbonate or sodium-hydroxide pressure-leach of scheelite CaWO4 + wolframite (Fe,Mn)WO4 + sodium-tungstate Na2WO4 SX with quaternary-ammonium R4NCl + ammonium-paratungstate APT crystallization. Storage envelope: same as Mo + W refinery.
Diluent Storage and Reagent Adjacency. Kerosene-isoparaffinic-diluent + tertiary-amine + TBP + alpha-hydroxime extractant storage at the refinery uses 5,000-15,000-gallon UL-142 carbon-steel diluent storage + 250-330-gallon poly tote + 5,000-15,000-gallon FRP or steel extractant storage. Sample + analytical-lab adjacency at HDPE rotomolded 1,500-10,000-gallon scale.
3. Regulatory Framework
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 + 1910.1000 + 1910.106 Standards. Tertiary-amine + TBP + alpha-hydroxime extractant + kerosene-isoparaffinic-diluent OSHA worker SDS + container labeling + PPE + emergency-shower-eye-wash + flammable-and-combustible-liquid storage per 29 CFR 1910.106 framework. Mo + Re + extractant air-contaminant per OSHA + ACGIH TLV.
NFPA 30 Flammable and Combustible Liquids. Kerosene-isoparaffinic-diluent flash-point 60-75C is NFPA 30 Class IIIA combustible liquid; storage tanks at 5,000-15,000-gallon UL-142 specification + secondary-containment dike sized 110% largest tank + remote impounding basin + bonded-grounded transfer + venting + fire-suppression + class-rated electrical area + emergency-shutoff + IFC Chapter 57 framework. Higher-flash-point extractant typically not regulated as combustible.
EPA Method 6010 + 6020 ICP-OES + ICP-MS Metal Analytical. EPA SW-846 Method 6010 + 6020 + 7470 + 7471 + 200.7 + 200.8 metal analytical for Mo + Re + Cu + Fe + W + minor metal at SX feed + raffinate + loaded-organic + strip-liquor + AHM + ADM sample collection.
EPA NPDES + State Mining Discharge Permit. Mo + Re + Cu + organic-bearing raffinate + crud + tailings discharge to surface water requires state-specific mining-discharge permit + NPDES outfall + state water-quality criterion compliance + Discharge Monitoring Report DMR submission framework.
EPA SPCC + State Mining Permit. Mo SX organic + diluent + extractant + aqueous storage requires double-liner + leak-detection + secondary-containment per EPA SPCC + state-specific mining-permit framework. Multi-tank system + remote-impounding basin + 110% largest-tank dike volume.
EPA RCRA Subtitle C. Spent SX organic + crud + extractant degradation products + ferric-iron-bearing organic may classify as RCRA characteristic hazardous waste at site-specific evaluation for ignitability D001 + toxicity D004-D043. Organic-phase recovery + waste-incineration + cement-stabilization at qualified hazardous-waste TSDF.
EPCRA 313 TRI Reporting. Refinery Mo + Re + Cu + benzene + toluene + xylene + petroleum-distillate releases at the SX + organic-handling + ventilation framework annual reporting.
DOT 49 CFR 173 + UN 1223 Kerosene + UN 3082 Environmentally-Hazardous-Substance. Kerosene-isoparaffinic-diluent shipping is UN 1223 Kerosene Class 3 PG III at flash-point 38-60C grade. Mo + Re-bearing organic + crud + spent extractant shipping to qualified hazardous-waste TSDF per state + EPA manifest framework.
4. Storage System Specification
SX Mixer-Settler and Organic-Phase Storage (Outside HDPE Scope). Primary Mo SX mixer-settler + organic-phase storage + crud-treatment vessel at 5,000-2,000,000-gallon scale uses FRP vinyl-ester resin construction or rubber-lined carbon-steel construction with natural-rubber or chlorobutyl-rubber liner + 304 + 316L stainless mixer impeller at 50-300 rpm + Viton-seat ball valve + organic-aqueous-interface-detection + organic-phase-recovery system. Construction at qualified FRP or lined-steel tank fabricator with NDE inspection + holiday-test on liner. This specification is OUTSIDE OneSource Plastics' HDPE 5-brand scope; we refer those specifications to qualified FRP + lined-steel tank fabricators.
Diluent Storage (UL-142 Carbon Steel; Outside HDPE Scope). Kerosene-isoparaffinic-diluent storage at 5,000-15,000-gallon UL-142 carbon-steel tank specification with NFPA 30 Class IIIA combustible-liquid framework + secondary-containment dike 110% largest tank + bonded-grounded transfer + venting + fire-suppression + class-rated electrical area + emergency-shutoff + IFC Chapter 57. Construction at qualified UL-142 + UL-2085 + STI-P3 fabricator. This specification is OUTSIDE OneSource Plastics' HDPE 5-brand scope.
Extractant Storage (FRP or Steel; Outside HDPE Scope). Tertiary-amine + TBP + alpha-hydroxime extractant storage at 5,000-15,000-gallon FRP vinyl-ester or steel tank with secondary-containment + ventilation + temperature-controlled jacket at sub-tropical + hot-climate installation. This specification is OUTSIDE OneSource Plastics' HDPE 5-brand scope.
Aqueous Mo, Acid-Makedown, and Reagent Tank (HDPE Scope). Aqueous Mo + raffinate + acid-makedown + sodium-carbonate-makedown + ammonium-hydroxide-makedown + reagent + sample + analytical-lab adjacency at the refinery uses 1,500-10,000-gallon HDPE or XLPE rotomolded vertical flat-bottom or shallow-cone-bottom atmospheric tank, 1.85 specific-gravity rated, mounted on level reinforced-concrete pad with secondary containment via integral catch-basin or external concrete-bermed pad sized to 110% of largest-tank volume; 3-4 inch flanged top fill + atmospheric vent; 2-3 inch flanged bottom outlet with full-bore PVC ball valve; 18-24 inch top manway; ultrasonic level transmitter; sample valve; opaque-pigmented HDPE for UV protection at outdoor service.
Crud-Treatment Clay-Tower and Filter. SX crud-treatment via clay-tower + filter + centrifuge at the SX-organic-recovery circuit uses FRP vinyl-ester or stainless construction outside HDPE scope.
Containment and Spill Pad. All Mo SX organic + extractant + diluent + aqueous storage requires secondary containment per EPA SPCC + NFPA 30 + state mining permit; concrete-bermed pad with chemical-resistant epoxy or polyurea liner + spill-collection sump + remote-impounding basin at major diluent + organic storage.
5. Field Handling Reality
Handler PPE. Mo SX organic + extractant + diluent handling: chemical-resistant Tyvek or equivalent suit at any open-system work, double nitrile or Viton chemical-resistant glove at any contact, chemical splash goggles + face shield at any open-system handling, half-mask air-purifying respirator with organic-vapor-cartridge at routine open-system work above OSHA petroleum-distillate PEL, supplied-air respirator at extractant + crud-handling work, FRC fire-retardant clothing at every diluent + organic-handling area per NFPA 30 Class IIIA, steel-toe boots with chemical-resistant overshoe, eye-wash + emergency shower per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.151 within 10 seconds of work area, no-smoking + no-spark + class-rated electrical at the diluent + organic-handling area.
Combustible-Liquid Discipline. Kerosene-isoparaffinic-diluent flash-point 60-75C drives NFPA 30 Class IIIA storage + bonded-grounded transfer + slow-fill + relaxation-time + venting + fire-suppression at every diluent + extractant + organic-phase tank. Static-electricity discipline per API RP 2003 + 2219 framework + anti-static additive at high-conductivity-required application.
Crud-Accumulation Discipline. SX mixer-settler interface accumulates organic + solid crud at typical 0.5-3% by volume of organic phase; crud-treatment via clay-tower + filter + centrifuge at the SX-organic-recovery circuit recovers entrained organic + reduces organic-loss + maintains extraction-stage efficiency. Routine crud-treatment cycle at 7-30-day frequency. Crud disposal as RCRA hazardous waste at qualified TSDF.
Extractant-Degradation Discipline. Long-hold contact between alpha-hydroxime extractant + ferric-iron-bearing aqueous drives extractant degradation to inactive-loaded-organic + crud; extraction-stage residence-time + organic:aqueous ratio + temperature management is routine; periodic extractant-strength assay + replacement-makeup at 6-18 month frequency. Tertiary-amine + TBP extractants are more stable than alpha-hydroxime + tolerate higher iron loading.
Cargo-Tank Receipt of Diluent and Extractant. Kerosene-diluent bulk receipt at 5,000-15,000-gallon UL-142 carbon-steel storage with bonded-grounded transfer + bottom-discharge cargo tank + facility-side air-operated diaphragm pump or progressive-cavity pump. Extractant receipt at 250-330-gallon poly tote or 5,000-15,000-gallon FRP storage with PPE + transfer-rate-monitoring + secondary-containment + emergency-deluge framework.
QC Sampling and Verification. Each SX feed + raffinate + loaded-organic + strip-liquor + AHM + ADM sample collection: Mo + Re + Cu + Fe + W + minor metal per EPA Method 6010 + 6020 ICP, pH continuous + grab confirmation, ORP, conductivity, density, organic-entrainment by phase-disengagement test, crud-content by gravimetric, extractant-strength by titration + spectrophotometry, organic-phase flash-point per ASTM D93.
Spill Response. Mo SX organic + diluent + extractant spill response: small-volume spill is contained at secondary-containment + absorbed with vermiculite or absorbent boom + bagged for hazardous-waste disposition. Large-volume spill triggers state-agency notification + downstream water-quality sampling + remediation per state mining permit + EPA SPCC framework. Fire-watch + fire-suppression standby at every diluent + organic-handling spill response.
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