The Boliden Norzink Mercury
Removal Process
Features of the
Lead Concentrate
Boliden Norzink
Smelting in
process
Kaldo
• Efficient: In- sensitive to
high incoming levels
of mercury.
• Cost effective: The operating
costs are low, and practically
independent of amount of
mercury. Investment cost
is moderate.
• Flexible: Works on practi-
cally all gases, including
those containing SO2.
• Well established: Approx.
40 reference plants
presently.
The Mercury problem in The mercury will be absorbed in the
acid during the next processing stages,
Metallurgical treatment of
and eventually report as pollutent in the
ores
acid produced. By installing the Boliden
Norzink Process, the mercury will be
Mercury exists as a trace element in
nearly all metallurgical raw materials,
eliminated from the gas before it enters
the sulphuric aid plant.
including most sulphidic ores, several
oxidic ores and some coals. The first
stage in the processing of these
materials is normally treatment in a
thermal stage such as smelting, roa-
sting,sintering or combustion.
During this thermal stage the mercury
will be volatilized and will report in
the gas.
If sulphides are processed, gas
will contain sulphur dioxide, which
normally is converted into sulphuric
acid. A major portion of the volatili-
zed mercury will be carried over as
metallic vapour into the sulphuric
acid plant.
MAIN CHEMICAL REACTIONS: Hg - Free gas

1. IN REACTOR:
Hgo + Hg Cl2 Hg2Cl2 (Calomel)
2. CHLORINATION / REGENERATION:
1/2Hg2Cl2 + 1/2Cl2 HgCl2
3. TOTAL:
Hgo + 1/2Cl2 1/2Hg2Cl2 Impure gas Calomel
(Hg 2Cl 2)

The Boliden Norzink Mercury

Removal Process
The Boliden Norzink Process is a
process for practically complete
elimination of mercury vapour from
gases. add-on stage has recently been
The basis for the process is the very rapid developed, which can purify the gas
and complete reaction that takes place further, whereby an acid with max.
when metallic mercury vapour comes 0.05 ppm of mercury can be produced.
into contact with a scrubber solution, This stage is based on the selenium
containing dissolved mercury ions, filter technology.
under appropriate conditions.
A scrubber reactor has been designed Optional stage for refining of
wherein the mercury containing gas is
calomel into high purity
scrubbed in a counter current flow with
a solution of mercuric chloride in a
metallic mercury
With an optional stage comprised
complex form. During the reaction
of a specially designed electrowinning
between the gas and scrubber solution
cell, metallic mercury can be produced
insoluble mercurous chloride (calomel)
from the calomel. At the same time
is precipitated. Oxidising a part of the
chlorine gas will be generated, which
calomel produced with chlorine gas
can be reused in the mercury removal
regenerates the active substance,
process. The mercury produced, is
mercuric chloride.
normally of minium 99.99 per cent
The excess calomel may be saleable
purity.
or it can be refined into metal (see
below).
Other Outokumpu Techno-
Mercury Removal Effiency logies for mercury removal
By the use o fthe Boliden Norzink The selenium fixed bed filter techno-
technology an acid can be produced, logy is a method, which is used for
which contains typically 0.3-0.5 ppm removal of smaller amounts of
mercury from gases. The Thiosulphate
mercury. An optional
is a method, which is used specifically
in conjunction with sulphuric acid
production.

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2007-09-06 www.outotec.com