Technological Institute of the Philippines

363 P. Casal St., Quiapo, Manila

Mechanical Engineering Department



MEF 552 / ME51FA2
INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES



Submitted to: Engr. Europeo


Mercury




Introduction

Mercury or quicksilver has been known since ancient times. It was known to the ancient
Chinese, Egyptians and Hindus.
In the fourth century B.C., they find Aristotle refers to mercury in writings as hydro-
argyros which translates as liquid silver or water silver. The Romans modified the greek
name slightly, referring mercury as hydragyrum from which we get mercurys modern
chemical symbol Hg.
Our modern name for the element was provided by alchemists. Alchemists observed
the elements rapid, liquid flow and likened it to the fastest moving planet, Mercury. (The
planet had been named after the fast moving Roman messenger of the gods, Mercury.)



Methods of extracting and refining mercury from ore

Pyrometallurgy
The pyrometallurgical extraction of mercury from its ore is essentially a distillation
process. When heat is applied to the sulfide ore in the presence of air, oxygen
combines with the sulfur to form sulfur dioxide, and the metal is liberated at a
temperature above its boiling point. The gases are then passed through a series of U-
shaped tubes to condense the mercury vapor to the liquid phase.
Various vertical furnaces have been used to extract quicksilver since the earliest known
crude furnaces were used at the Almadn Mine in Spain in the 12th century. The most
common furnace in use in Europe is the Cermak-Spirek shaft furnace, which can treat
either coarse feed (at least 4 centimeters, or 1.5 inches) or (with modification)
finer material. The furnace can also accept different grades of ore. The ore is mixed with
charcoal or coke fuel and charged to the top of the furnace. Combustion of fuel by a
blast of hot air at the bottom produces hot gases, which, at about 300 C (570 F), pass
upward through the falling ore and vaporize the liberated mercury. The heat generated
by this oxidation-reduction reaction raises the temperature of the incoming air for yet
more efficient combustion, and hot gases at the top of the furnace, where the
temperature reaches 700 C (1,300 F), dry the freshly charged rock and coke.
Incineration of fuel by an explosion of hot air at the base produces hot gases, which,
pass uphill through the falling ore and vaporize the freethinking mercury.

In the United States, rotary and multiple-hearth furnaces have been widely used,
offering the advantage over other furnaces of higher capacity and continuous operation.
Mechanical feeding and discharge reduces exposure to mercury vapors, sulfur dioxide
fumes, and dust and lowers labor costs as well.
]
In order to extract mercury from its ores, cinnabar ore is crushed and heated to release
the mercury as a vapor. The mercury vapor is then cooled, condensed, and collected.



Hydrometallurgy
Mercury can be leached from ores and concentrates with a solution of sodium hydroxide
and sodium sulfide. It can then be recovered by precipitation with aluminum or by
electrolysis. Leaching is more costly than furnacing and is not effective on ores of
irregular composition.

Mercury uses

Precision casting
Frozen mercury can be used as precision casting of complex or intricate parts. After
casting, the mercury mold can be easily removed by melting without damaging the cast
product.

Acts as alloy in propeller design
A new innovation of mercury as an alloy which can make 30% stronger than
conventional stainless steel and allows propeller design that is impossible with stainless
steel.

Thermostats
Mercury conducts electricity and is used in many household appliances switches. They
are used in temperature sensitive and mechanical switches. Examples of appliances
that have mercury switches include thermostats, clothing irons and top leading freezers
and washing machines.

Thermometers
Mercury is used in thermometers because it expands and contracts evenly with
temperature changes.

Household Lamps
Fluorescent, high intensity discharge (HID) and neon lamps contain mercury, often in
vapor form.



Gauges: Manometers, Barometers, & Vacuum Gauges
Many barometers and vacuum gauges found in machinery contain mercury. Liquid
mercury in the gauges responds to air pressure in a precise way that can be read on a
calibrated scale. Several mercury-free alternatives are available. Some operate on the
same principle as mercury gauges but use mercury-free liquids in the tube.