Heavy metal removal system containing clay, quaternary ammonium compound, and mercaptan

Abstract

Metal ions can be removed from aqueous by being brought into contact with a heavy metal removal system which comprises an expanded organophilic clay (such as montmorillonite), a fatty alkyl-containing quaternary ammonium compound (such as a chloride comprising a fatty alkyl group containing from about twelve to about twenty-two carbon atoms), and a fatty alkyl-containing mercaptan (comprising a fatty alkyl group containing from about twelve to about twenty-two carbon atoms).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.