The thermodynamics of the MoS 2 -C-CaO system has been studied in order to understand the carbothermic reduction of molybdenite in the presence of CaO. Kinetic studies were also conducted with mixtures of MoS 2 ϩ C ϩ CaO in the temperature range of 900 ЊC 1200 ЊC. The reduction of MoS 2 with carbon in the presence of lime proceeds through the direct oxidation of MoS 2 by CaO to form intermediate molybdenum oxidized species, MoO 2 and CaMoO 4 , which subsequently undergo reduction by CO to yield mixtures of Mo, Mo 2 C, and CaS. Complete conversion of MoS 2 can be obtained at 1200 ЊC in less than 20 minutes for molar concentrations of MoS 2 :C:CaO ϭ 1:2:2. The kinetic model ln (1 Ϫ X) ϭ kt was used to determine the rate constants. The activation energy found for the temperature range studied was 218.8 kJ/mol.
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