Vapor-Phase Elemental Mercury Adsorption by Novel Modified Vermiculite Adsorbents Impregnated with Different Agents

The novel modified vermiculite adsorbents have been made impregnated with sulfate, HCl and CuCl2. A laboratory-scale packed-bed reactor system was used to screen these adsorbents for their capability to remove elemental mercury. The affection of temperature on adsorption was also detected. Results showed that the adsorption capability for elemental mercury was improved after treated by different modified agents than the natural vermiculite. Comparing with active carbon, the adsorption capability of vermiculite adsorbents modified by sulfate and HCl were less improved, and it is almost increased 40 times than that of active carbon when using the CuCl2 modified vermiculite adsorbent at the same condition. Increasing temperature is active for the adsorption capability for elemental mercury by sulfate and HCl modified vermiculite adsorbents.