Processes for preparing and regenerating a copper containing mercury collecting solid mass

A process for preparing a mercury recovery solid mass comprising a solid inorganic carrier and copper, at least partly as copper sulfide, characterized in that it comprises the steps of:

• (a) incorporating at least one copper compound other than a sulfide with a solid inorganic carrier or dispersing agent,
• (b) optionally roasting the product obtained in step (a) so as to convert at least partly the one or more copper compounds contained therein to copper oxide,
• (c) incorporating with the resultant product from step (b) or from step (a) at least one organic polysulfide of formula R-S.sub.(n) -R', wherein n is an integer from 2 to 20, R is a hydrogen atom or an organic radical containing 1-150, carbon atoms, selected from the group consisting of saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl radicals, naphthenic radicals, aryl radicals, alkylaryl and arylalkyl radicals, and R' is an organic radical, identical to or different from R, having 1-150 carbon atoms, selected from the group of the organic radicals defined for R, and
• (d) subjecting the resultant precursor product from step (c) to a thermal treatment in non-oxidizing atmosphere, under gas scavenging conditions, at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to form copper sulfide.