Method for removing mercury contamination from solid surfaces

摘要

A method of selecting a mercury-contaminated solid surface followed by heating a cleaning solution to a temperature less than 100° C. The cleaning solution can contain hydrocarbon oil and one or more organic sulfur compounds. Afterwards, the heated cleaning solution is contacted with the mercury-contaminated solid surface to remove the mercury contamination.

主权项

1. A method of:
a) selecting a mercury-contaminated solid surface; and b) heating a cleaning solution to a temperature less than 100° C., wherein the cleaning solution comprises:
i. a hydrocarbon oil; andii. one or more organic sulfur compounds; c) contacting the heated cleaning solution over the mercury-contaminated solid surface to remove the mercury contamination and to produce a used cleaning solution; d) heating the used cleaning solution to a temperature greater than 100° C. and purging the used cleaning solution with a gas to regenerate the used cleaning solution; and e) reusing the regenerated used cleaning solution as cleaning solution.