The system can recover ELEMENTAL MERCURY from fluorescent lamp tubes powder that has been recycled from lamp crushing equipment. The mercury is contained in the powder within the lamp tubes. The glass and aluminum end caps from the lamps are recycled but the powder requires treatment to remove the mercury before the powder can be recycled. Due to tough economic times the company that originally contracted the design and purchase of this equipment filed for bankruptcy just as the equipment was installed, commissioned but before the unit was fully commercialized. Therefore, the unit is new and ready to treat mercury contaminated lamp power. The unit is a "Retorter" that meets the stringent USEPA's mercury treatment standard under RCRA regulations 40 CFR 266. 100(d). Air emission from this Mercury Retort Unit meet the Best Demonstrated Available Technology (BDAT) determined under the RCRA land disposal restriction regulations. Since mercury is such a persistent neurotoxin prevalent in our environment (such as in fish we eat) the treatment of lamp powder is only going to grow. Currently, the USEPA requires all large businesses to recycle fluorescent lamp tubes and other mercury containing lamps. Also many states have promulgated regulation even more stringent than the USEPA. Abroad, many European countries are ahead of the USA in the recycling of mercury containing lamps. Other countries around the world have also embraced stringent regulations for the control of mercury pollution caused by the improper management of fluorescent lamp tubes. These countries are forcing the recycling of fluorescent lamps, creating an even greater need for mercury recycling equipment. Mercury recycling equipment is very specifically designed equipment with few available vendors/manufacturers to select from and expensive to build. Therefore, this unit is a unique find.

As per USEPA regulations listed above, this unit treats mercury lamp powder in the absence of oxygen. Step one: mercury contaminated lamp powder, in a uniform manner is screw fed (to eliminate the introduction of oxygen) into the retort chamber. Step two: the fluorescent lamp powder is heated to a temperature of up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit in the fluidized retort so that the mercury in the lamp powder is vaporized. Step three: the mercury vapors are cooled in a refrigerated heat exchange unit and condensed for collection in liquid form. The recovered Mercury can also be triple distilled for even more valuable resource recovery. Step four: the heated lamp powder free of mercury is cooled, tested for mercury levels, and is also recycled for a profit.

Most communities in the USA and in many places around the world have requirements and infrastructure for the collection of fluorescent light tubes (lamps) and other types of mercury containing lamps. The collected lamps are then crushed by numerous lamp recyclers. In many cases the lamp recyclers will crush the lamps in lamp crushing and separation equipment such as the LSS1 manufactured by Universal Recycling Technologies and the MP 6000 manufactured by Balcan. The glass and aluminum end caps are recycled for beneficial reuse. However, the powder containing the mercury must be further treated and there are only a few retorting facilities where the powder can be treated. This lamp powder mercury treatment unit offered by WWE can be utilized as a portable or as a fixed facility where drums (current normal transportation means) of mercury contaminated lamp powder that has the end caps and glass separated can be delivered for mercury treatment.

APPLICATION: ON-SITE treatment of mercury contaminated fluorescent lamp powder. The mercury treatment unit can easily achieve the boiling point of mercury at 764 (degrees)F.

PROCESS: Raise the mercury contaminated lamp powder temperature to vaporize mercury, remove the particulate in the baghouse, cool, condense the mercury and recycle.

TRANSPORTATION RESTRICTIONS: NONE: No special highway permits required - Unit is mounted on One- Trailer

The Mercury TEKtm unit can set up as a fixed facility. Also it can easily transported to the lamp powder storage site on one 8' x 25' trailer. Preparation and start-up can usually be accomplished within 8 hours.

FEED RATE: 5 to 7 (12 to 18 55 gal drums per hour) tons per hour of lamp powder. Capacity will be reduced approximately 6% for each 1000 ft. above 3000 ft. elevation.

FUEL: Propane or natural gas.

TEMPERATURE: 450-900(degrees)F maximum. Programmable with microprocessor temperature control: 40: 1 turndown burner.

QUALITY: Mercury removal from lamp powder down to less than residential landfill standards.

CONTROLS: Available automatic sequence start-up system all components. On board computer can be programmed for continuous or intermittent recording of treated mercury powder, exhaust vapor temperatures. Diagnostic evaluation available on-site or remotely via modem.

Deviation indicators, visual and audio alarms, and emergency stop switch are provided. Hardcopy readouts are provided for lamp powder and mercury vapor temperatures.

The Mercury TEKtm unit efficiency is continually monitored by temperature sensors, pressure switches, and proximity-sensing motion detectors. If preset temperatures are not met during lamp powder processing, or in any part of the machine exceeds pre-set parameters, the unit will automatically shut down and visual and audible alarms will sound.

The Mercury TEKtm unit is controlled by an on-board programmable logic control panel, which preforms sequential control, PID closed-loop control, and data acquisition functions. Hardcopy readouts of mercury vapor, lamp powder and control temperatures can be generated on command. The Mercury TEKtm unit can also be monitored remotely via modern and cellular phone hookup to your office.

WWE SUPPORT

Mercury TEKtm comes complete with operating instructions, engineering drawings and technical specifications.