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Mercury disposal treatment
2003
I have a customer posing a tricky pollution solution inquiry. They wanted to treat/dispose wastes from luminaire manufacturing. The wastes are mercury mixed with leaded-glass. Wastes are collected in plastic drum, but they are slowly accumulating in the storage area. Customer wanted to dispose of the wastes. Anybody out there with an idea how to dispose/treat/recycle this wastes, this is a very good business opportunity. Contact me so we can discuss what are the available options.
Peter e. de Dios- Binan, Laguna, Philippines
Ed. note: Sorry, this RFQ for private contact is now outdated, but public technical replies are still welcome. No public brand/source suggestions please ( huh? why?)
July 21, 2012
Q. My laboratory which I inherited has some old mercury left over from some previous researcher's work. Can you suggest any chemical reaction that can be used to make it safe enough to be thrown down the drain? Thanks, Vijaya
Vijaya Satchidanandam- Bangalore, Karnataka, India
A. Hi Vijaya,
I can't imagine that the Indian Environmental Department is going to be overly pleased with any attempt to dispose of a mercury containing substance "down the drain". All Mercury wastes must be treated as special waste and disposed of in line with Indian current environmental disposal legislation. Whatever you do, don't try to throw it down the drain!
Aerospace - Yeovil, Somerset, UK
A. Mercury metal is worth money. Some metal recycler should take it off your hands.
SMALL amounts of mercury can be stabilized by dusting with elemental sulfur.
Or, if you are talking about a mercury waste, contact a waste hauler. There are techniques for removing mercury from wastewater, but I doubt you could attain the required discharge limit.
Dave Wichern
Consultant - The Bronx, New York
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