skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Formation of calcium and magnesium molybdate complexes in dilute aqueous solutions and evaluation of powellite solubility in spent oil shale

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6554591

In order to increase our understanding of the chemistry of molybdenum (Mo) in spent oil shale disposal environments, predict fate and behavior, and assess the effectiveness of proposed mitigation techniques, we feel that is imperative to understand the processes controlling Mo aqueous- and solid-phase distribution. Recent research supports the significance of alkaline earth and alkali metal ion pairs with molybdate in aqueous solutions. The objectives of this study were to measure the ion association constants (log Q) for the formation of calcium and magnesium molybdate ion pairs by potentiometric titration at pH 7 and 25{degree}C in NaNO{sub 3} ionic media. The measured values were then used to examine the equilibrium solubility of powellite (CaMoO{sub 4}) in KNO{sub 3} solutions and spent oil shale systems. Powellite solubility data were evaluated using log Q for CaMoO{sub 4}{sup 0} formation, resulting in a calculated log K{sub sp} for powellite dissolution of -7.84. Application of an ion association model that used the molybdate ion pair formation data shows that spent oil shale leachates are undersaturated with respect to powellite. The results of this study show that molybdate ion pair formation in spent oil shale solutions may be significant and that soluble Mo concentrations may not be supported by powellite dissolution. 31 refs., 10 figs., 4 tabs.

Research Organization:
Western Research Inst., Laramie, WY (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
DOE/FE
DOE Contract Number:
FC21-86MC11076
OSTI ID:
6554591
Report Number(s):
DOE/MC/11076-2851; ON: DE90009663
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English