Microwave heating-assisted pyrolysis of mercury from sludge

Abstract

The hazard-free treatment of mercury-containing sludge, generated in the produce of polyvinyl chloride process was severely restricted due to the lack of relevant research. In this study, pyrolysis experiments of mercury from sludge were conducted and assisted by microwave heating. Through introducing various analysis techniques, such as x-ray fluorescence (XRF), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), etc, it is clear that, when roasted at O2 atmosphere, mercury can be removed at a relatively low temperature, while the temperature needs to be as high as 450 °C under N2 atmosphere. Meanwhile, the transition mechanism of Hg-containing phases was explored. The optimal condition is 320 °C at O2 atmosphere, this is a promising prospect, which can efficiently volatilize the removal of mercury from sludge.