Mercury is a transition metal with an atomic number of 80. It is the only metal to exist in liquid form at room temperature. Droplets of liquid mercury are shiny and silver-white with a high surface tension, appearing rounded when on flat surfaces.
Applications
Mercury is used to manufacture fluorescent light bulbs and some electrical switches. It is also used to produce float valves, medication and batteries.
Challenges
Mercury is found in the wastewater of various industries, including mining and smelting, fossil fuels, fertilizers, paints and dental practice wastes. It is harmful, especially to pregnant women and young children. Not only is it highly toxic, but it is also extremely mobile, finding its way into the wastewater of various industries.
Solutions
Resin technology is used in three relevant applications.
Chlor-alkali Industry
Chlor-alkali plants produce chlorine and sodium hydroxide, two chemicals needed for many industrial processes. Using special selective resins, low levels of mercury can be removed from contaminated wastewater and effluents from Chlor-alkali plants.
Ecolab produces a range of suitable, non-regenerable, and highly selective products, including Purolite™ Puromet™ MTS9140PF with thiourea functionality, and Purolite Puromet MTS9200, with isothiouronium functionality.
For more information, visit Metals Plating Industry Products.
Removal from Wastewater
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maximum contaminant level of mercury in drinking water is .002 (mg/L)2.
Puromet MTS9200 can remove mercury to very low levels for wastewater and stormwater treatment when present as dissolved Hg2+.
For more information, visit Potable and Groundwater Products.
Removal During Precious Metals Recovery
Mercury is a byproduct of producing precious metals such as platinum and gold. Mercury occurs in many gold ores and must be removed to optimize the purity of the gold.
Puromet MTS9140PF is used for mercury removal.
For more information, visit Hydrometallurgy Products.
