Method for the recovery of mercury from mercury- containing material

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Insoluble mercury salts and any mercury in mercury-containing material are converted into a soluble form by controlled chlorination. The soluble forms of mercury in the chlorination solution are reduced with iron preferably iron powder, to elemental mercury. After separation from the reduced solution, the solids from the reduction containing entrained mercury are subjected to a, separation for the separation and substantially quantitative recovery of substantially pure mercury. Separation by elutriation through a body of mercury is preferred. Prior to separation, the reduction solids may be kneaded for coalescense of fine mercury particles followed by slurrying of the kneaded material. Any …