Mercury treatment and encapsulation process

Abstract

A system and method for disposing non-radioactive mercury found in waste material at a concentration of greater than 260 mg of mercury per kg of the waste material is provided. The method includes a chemical treatment step followed by an encapsulation step. The chemical treatment includes mixing the waste mercury with sulfur in a reactor to convert the mercury into mercury sulfide. The chemical treatment also includes maintaining conditions within the reactor for reaction efficiency and safety. Other additives may be added to the reactor to further mitigate leachability or mobility of the mercury in order to meet a regulatory standard regarding waste mercury. The encapsulation includes placing the chemically treated mercury inside an impervious container, such as a steel, cement, or plastic container. The encapsulated and chemical treated mercury can then be placed in a landfill without an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment.

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