MERCURY REMOVAL FROM SOLID WASTES IN AREA OF CHLOR-ALKALI FACTORY USING LEACHING PROCESSES

摘要

Potassium iodide and iodine leaching solutions have been evaluated for use in a process for removing mercury from contaminated solid wastes. Most of the experimental work was completed using solid wastes in the area of Chlorine-alkali factory in Vlora region, Albania. The mercury content of the wastes was measured and determined to be approximately 10.000-50.000 mg/kg. A solution consisting of potassium iodide and iodine proved to be most effective leaching agent used in the experiment when applied for 2-4 h at ambient temperature. Iodine recovery and recycle of leaching were also accomplished successfully. The objective of experiments was to demonstrate the removal of mercury from the spent leaching solution and the recovery of iodine for use in subsequent treatment cycles, with the optimum leaching process established in the laboratory studies.