Title: Method of recovering mercury

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating an electrolytic cell of the flowing mercury amalgam cathode type. According to the disclosed process, fortified alkali metal chloride brine is fed to the cell while an electrical current is passed through the cell. Depleted brine, diminished in alkali metal chloride content and enhanced in mercury content, is recovered from the cell. The depleted brine is dechlorinated and then refortified with alkali metal chloride. Thereafter, the refortified brine is treated to precipitate sulfate and alkaline earth metal contaminates as well as mercury. The purified, refortified brine is then introduced to a flowing mercury amalgam cathode electrolytic cell. The mercury recovery process is characterized by adding an alkaline hypochlorite solution to the precipitated impurities in order to form a soluble mercury salt, separating the soluble mercury salt from the precipitate at an alkaline pH, and then acidifying the solution of the soluble mercury salt. Thereafter, the mercury salt solution is electrolyzed between an anode and a cathode in order to evolve metallic mercury at the cathode.

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Inventors: Carlin, William W. (Portland, TX, US)

Application Number: 904140
Filing Date: 1978-05-05
Publication_date: 1979-04-17
Assignee: PPG Industries, Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA)
Primary Class(es): 205/562 205/527
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

2860952	Nov, 1958	Bergerow et al.	423/102.
3115389	Dec, 1963	Deriaz	423/158.
3647359	Mar, 1972	Bell	204/99.
3691037	Sep, 1972	Updyke	204/99.
3801480	Apr, 1974	Krieg	204/99.
4012297	Mar, 1977	Balko et al.	204/99.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Andrews, R. L.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: Goldman; Richard M.