Process for treating molybdenite concentrates to produce a lubricant grade product

A simple, efficient and economical process for purifying molybdenum disulfide concentrates by contacting and digesting the molybdenum disulfide feed material with an aqueous acid solution containing a controlled combination of hydrofluoric acid and sulfuric acid in a manner to convert substantially all of the contaminating silica bearing minerals therein to aqueous soluble fluoride and sulfate compounds and any contaminating lead sulfide compounds to lead sulfate compounds, and thereafter washing, neutralizing and drying the purified molybdenum disulfide powder product. In accordance with a preferred practice, when the molybdenum disulfide feed material contains in excess of about 0.1% iron as an indication of pyrite concentration, the concentrate is calcined at an elevated temperature in a nonoxidizing atmosphere prior to the digestion step to effect a conversion of the pyrites to synthetic pyrrhotites, which are softer and less abrasive and are more acid soluble. The product thus derived is eminently suitable for use in the formulation of lubricants and as an intermediate in the synthesis of high purity molybdenum compounds.