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Title: Obtaining accurate amounts of mercury from mercury compounds via electrolytic methods

Patent ·
OSTI ID:866302

A process for obtaining pre-determined, accurate rate amounts of mercury. In one embodiment, predetermined, precise amounts of Hg are separated from HgO and plated onto a cathode wire. The method for doing this involves dissolving a precise amount of HgO which corresponds to a pre-determined amount of Hg desired in an electrolyte solution comprised of glacial acetic acid and H.sub.2 O. The mercuric ions are then electrolytically reduced and plated onto a cathode producing the required pre-determined quantity of Hg. In another embodiment, pre-determined, precise amounts of Hg are obtained from Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2. The method for doing this involves dissolving a precise amount of Hg.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 in an electrolyte solution comprised of concentrated HCl and H.sub.2 O. The mercurous ions in solution are then electrolytically reduced and plated onto a cathode wire producing the required, pre-determined quantity of Hg.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
Assignee:
GTE Products Corporation (Danvers, MA)
Patent Number(s):
US 4678550
OSTI ID:
866302
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English