The solubility and speciation of molybdenum in water vapour at elevated temperatures and pressures: Implications for ore genesis

摘要

The solubility of molybdenum trioxide in liquid-undersaturated water vapour has been investigated experimentally at 300, 320, and 360 degrees C and 39-154 bars. Results of these experiments show that the solubility Of MoO3 in water vapour is between I and 29 ppm, which is 19-20 orders of magnitude higher than the vapour pressure Of MoO3(g). Molybdenum solubility increases exponentially with f(H2O), suggesting the formation of a gaseous hydrated complex of the type MoO3.nH(2)O by the reaction: