A process for separation of heavy metals and/or sulfur species from ionic liquids

A process of regeneration of spent scrubbing liquid suitable for removal of heavy metals from a gas, wherein said spent liquid comprises an ionic liquid, a heavy metal species and a reduced oxidant species, said process comprises sequentially combining said spent scrubbing liquid with a sulfide source, whereby an heavy metal sulfide is formed, and with a regenerating oxidizing agent, whereby said reduced oxidant species is regenerated into active oxidant species.

12-14. (canceled)

A process of decontamination a gaseous stream from sulfides, said process comprising passing said stream through an essentially water-free water-miscible ionic liquid, and adding water to said essentially water-free water-miscible ionic liquid, in presence of an oxidant, thereby converting sulfides into elemental sulfur and/or sulfates.

(canceled)

A process of decontamination a gaseous stream from sulfides and heavy metals, said process comprising the steps of:

• passing said stream through a scrubbing liquid comprising an essentially water-free water-miscible ionic liquid and an oxidant reducible into a halide, and
• either in the presence of indigenously formed heavy metal halide or of an added heavy metal halide, introducing water to said essentially water-free water-miscible ionic liquid, thereby precipitating heavy metal sulfides and converting excess sulfides into elemental sulfur and/or sulfates.

(canceled)

(canceled)

27-28. (canceled)