Method for removing mercury from contaminated soils and industrial wastes and related apparatus

A method of purifying contaminated material comprising

• heating said contaminated material to a first temperature to vaporize moisture contained therein without substantially vaporizing the mercury portion thereof,
• subsequently heating said contaminated material to a higher temperature to vaporize the mercury portion thereof,
• condensing said vaporized mercury portion to obtain at least one of elemental mercury and mercury compounds,
• effecting said purification at essentially atmospheric pressure, and
• during said process effecting decomposition of mercury halides in said contaminated material.

A method of purifying contaminated material comprising

• heating said contaminated material to a first temperature to vaporize moisture contained therein without substantially vaporizing the mercury portion thereof,
• subsequently heating said contaminated material to a higher temperature to vaporize the mercury portion thereof,
• condensing said vaporized mercury portion to obtain at least one of elemental mercury and mercury compounds,
• effecting said purification at essentially atmospheric pressure,
• employing said method to purify contaminated soil, and
• during said process stabilizing sulfurous substances present in said contaminated material.

A method of purifying contaminated material comprising

• heating said contaminated material to a first temperature to vaporize moisture contained therein without substantially vaporizing the mercury portion thereof,
• subsequently heating said contaminated material to a higher temperature to vaporize the mercury portion thereof,
• condensing said vaporized mercury portion to obtain at least one of elemental mercury and mercury compounds,
• effecting said purification at essentially atmospheric pressure,
• employing said method to purify contaminated soil, and
• effecting said purification on a vehicle.

A method of purifying contaminated material comprising

• heating said contaminated material to a first temperature to vaporize moisture contained therein without substantially vaporizing the mercury portion thereof,
• subsequently heating said contaminated material to a higher temperature to vaporize the mercury portion thereof,
• condensing said vaporized mercury portion to obtain at least one of elemental mercury and mercury compounds,
• effecting said purification at essentially atmospheric pressure,
• employing said method to purify contaminated soil,
• cleaning the effluent from said condensing step before discharging the same to the atmosphere, and
• effecting said heating steps in a batch furnace.

A method of purifying contaminated material comprising

• heating said contaminated material to a first temperature to vaporize moisture contained therein without substantially vaporizing the mercury portion thereof,
• subsequently heating said contaminated material to a higher temperature to vaporize the mercury portion thereof,
• condensing said vaporized mercury portion to obtain at least one of elemental mercury and mercury compounds,
• effecting said purification at essentially atmospheric pressure, and
• performing said process in a containment chamber which is maintained at a negative pressure with respect to the atmosphere.

A method of purifying material comprising

• heating said contaminated material to a first temperature to vaporize moisture contained therein without substantially vaporizing the mercury portion thereof,
• subsequently heating said contaminated material to a higher temperature to vaporize the mercury portion thereof,
• condensing said vaporized mercury portion to obtain at least one of elemental mercury and mercury compounds,
• effecting said purification at essentially atmospheric pressure, and
• employing a first condenser for condensing vapors from said first heating process and a second condenser for condensing vapors from said second heating process.

Apparatus for purifying contaminated material comprising

• furnace means for heating said contaminated material to a first temperature for vaporizing moisture contained in said contaminated material without substantial vaporization of the mercury portion thereof, and subsequently heating said contaminated material to a second temperature higher than said first temperature to vaporize said mercury portion,
• means for discharging said vaporized moisture to the atmosphere without substantial condensation thereof,
• condenser means for receiving the vaporized mercury portion and condensing the same into at least one of elemental mercury and mercury compounds, and
• means for effecting said purification at essentially atmospheric pressure.