Process for the removal of heavy metals from fluids

A process for the removal of heavy metals and/or dioxins from a fluid comprising heavy metals, the process comprising

• bringing the fluid in contact in a fixed-bed adsorber with a mixture comprising, based on a total volume of particles in the mixture,
• between 30% vol. and 60% vol. of separate, distinct particles of an activated carbon catalyst impregnated with sulfur,
• between 30% vol. and 60% vol. of separate, distinct particles of an activated carbon catalyst impregnated with iron, and
• between 5% vol. and 40% vol. of separate, distinct particles of a filler material, said particles of a filler material having a mean particle size, based on the average largest dimension—by number—of the particle, of more than 4 mm,
• leaving the fluid in contact with the mixture,
• allowing absorption of the heavy metals and/or dioxins onto the mixture to obtain a fluid with a depleted level of heavy metals and/or dioxins, and
• evacuating the fluid with a depleted level of heavy metals and/or dioxins from the mixture,
• wherein any individual particle of said activated carbon catalyst impregnated with sulfur is distinguishable from any individual particle of said activated carbon catalyst impregnated with iron at least on the basis of chemical composition.