Innovative technology enabling selective removal of mercury from concentrated acids

Purpose and goal

The project will develop a prototype flow-reactor for a newly developed mercury removal technique, based on research at Chalmers University of Technology, for treatment of sulfuric acid produced in smelters. Sulfuric acid is the world´s most used chemical, and is produced as a byproduct in smelters. Mercury is a prioritized pollutant with devastating health effects in humans, and with no commercial solution available for mercury removal in concentrated acids, this project works to fill an important gap.

Expected effects and result

Our technique has the potential to drastically reduce the amount of mercury being spread through the value chain of sulfuric acid to other products that ultimately end up in the environment. We can offer the Swedish and international mining industry a unique opportunity to produce sulfuric acid with extremely low mercury levels, giving them competitive advantage. Our innovation can create economic and environmental benefits for Sweden, but also strengthen Sweden´s role as one of the leading countries in cleantech, green innovation and environmentally friendly mining industry.

Planned approach and implementation

The beginning of the project will consist of communicating with potential customers and other actors within the mining sector regarding what requirements they have on a product such as the one we want to build. This helps us create a product that actually will be used. After extensive research the next step will be to start designing and constructing the reactor. After which, the performance of the reactor will be evaluated by using it to clean contaminated sulfuric acid samples. The last step is to evaluate and communicate our results to the world.