Specific emission control processes
GEA DeMerc: Removal of mercury
Mercury separation made simple — GEA DeMerc, a reliable mercury removal system in the non-ferrous metal industry
Removal of mercury from process and exhaust gas in the Non-Ferrous metal industry is crucial due to mercury's toxicity, volatility and persistence in the environment.
Mercury removal is a three-stage process.
Gas Cleaning in Non-Ferrous metal industry consists of several process steps. First step in process gas treatment is particle removal by an ESP which includes particle-bound mercury. The second step takes place in the washing and cooling system, typically using calomel to remove large amounts of mercury. However, minimization of clean gas concentrations of mercury is limited by this process. This reduces quality and thus selling price of downstream produced sulfuric acid.
With the new third stage, GEA DeMerc, mercury contained in the gas downstream washing and cooling stage is adsorbed over a fixed bed consisting of new sorbent (GEA MercurySorb), which ensures fine Hg purification and thus improved sulfuric acid quality. Mercury clean gas concentration ≤ 25 µg/m3 can be achieved, regardless of the present mercury species (elemental or ionically bound) The usual abatement rate is ≥ 90 % over the runtime and mercury is finally bound as mercuric sulfide which is significantly less toxic than other mercury compounds.
Advantages of adsorption-based mercury removal
1. High Efficiency:
- Capable of removing >90% of mercury with clean gas concentration ≤ 25 µg/m3
2. Specific abatement:
- No interaction with valuable substance sulfur dioxide (neither adsorption nor conversion to H2S)
3. Operational simplicity:
- Adsorption systems are relatively easy to operate and integrate into existing flue gas treatment setups.
4. Cost-Effectiveness:
- GEA MercurySorb is typically more affordable than activated carbon or noble metals.
5. Scalability and Flexibility:
- Modular design allows for easy scaling and retrofitting in existing plants.
6. Capacity and lifetime:
- GEA DeMerc will be adapted to customer needs and process conditions to have a maximum predictable lifetime.
Downloads
Related Products
Aerosol separator systems
A suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets, in gas is called aerosol and can be separated by different working principles.
Bubble column reactor
Bubble Columns feature a high liquid to gas volume ratio, beneficial when conducting rather slow reactions in the liquid phase as large reaction volumes can be realized. Ideal when dry spots must be avoided in the contactor.
Converter gas recovery (LT process)
The conversion of hot metal into steel produces CO-laden gases of high caloric value. The recovery of these gases means to save a considerable amount of energy. The LT-Steel Gas Process has established worldwide.
EP Absorber
One of our most important activities in the refinery industry is gas cleaning for FCC units. GEA technologies combine engineering process engineering, environmental aspects and energy savings. Taken this into account, GEA offers clean air solutions while keeping the CAPEX/ OPEX low.
GEA Insights
Blueprint for better: How GEA rebuilt itself
Since 2019, GEA has risen from underperformer to DAX member – one of Germany's top 40 listed companies – by fostering entrepreneurship and turning sustainability into a competitive advantage. It reached this milestone in its nearly 145-year history without tailwinds or shortcuts, in a world of compounding crises. This turnaround shows what's possible when purpose and performance align.
Video: GEA's 2025 year in review
This year was a big one for GEA. Can you remember all the milestones and highlights?
Touching lives, lifting communities
The GEA Foundation launched this year with a promise: to make a tangible difference in people's lives. From scholarships in Germany to clean water in Tanzania, the foundation is already proving that when companies commit to giving back, lives change.
