Soluble agent for removing mercury and other contaminants

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adsorbent product for removing mercury and other toxic gases. The adsorbent product may comprise a halide, copper, and molybdenum. A method for manufacturing the adsorbent product disclosed herein and a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream using the same are also provided.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] Cross-reference regarding related applications

[0002] The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 63 / 602,945 filed on November 27, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] Adsorbents, such as activated carbon, have long been used to remove toxic gases and vapors from fluid streams. For example, activated carbon contained within filters is useful for removing hazardous substances from gaseous fluids, such as breathing air or exhaust gases. This is commonly seen in applications such as gas mask filters, collective filters, and other applications. Activated carbon used for hazardous substance removal is often treated with various components that adsorb, catalyze, or react with hazardous gases, or otherwise interacts with hazardous gases that are not removed by contact with untreated activated carbon. Conventional formulations contain chromium and / or other agents impregnated onto activated carbon to act as adsorbents that effectively remove various toxic substances from fluid streams. In many applications, it is desirable for a single impregnated adsorbent to be effective against various toxic substances in the fluid stream.

[0004] When using activated carbon adsorbents impregnated in respiratory and collective filters for military or industrial applications, special consideration must be given to the toxicity and carcinogenicity of the impregnating agent to the user. Due to these considerations, a significant number of potential impregnating agents in existing technologies are rejected for use in respiratory and collective filter applications. In particular, in the case of hexavalent chromium, for example, a person wearing a protective mask with a filter containing hexavalent chromium may be exposed to these potential health risks and experience adverse effects. U.S. Patent No. 5,492,882 discloses chromium-free activated carbon for removing toxic vapors, but the need for an adsorbent capable of removing mercury in addition to other toxic and / or hazardous contaminants still remains.

[0005] Since mercury vapor is toxic, it must be removed from the air to make it suitable for breathing. Conventional multi-gas adsorbents cannot simultaneously meet stringent requirements for organic vapor removal and mercury removal, and thus cannot effectively remove both organic vapors and mercury from fluid streams. There is still a need for high-performance adsorbents capable of removing various contaminants, including mercury, from fluid streams.

[0006] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein is a sorbent material product comprising a sorbent material,

[0007] The above-mentioned adsorbent

[0008] About 0.1 to about 10 wt% of halide,

[0009] About 0.1 to about 20 wt% of copper and

[0010] The invention relates to a sorbent product having a surface deposit containing about 0.1 to about 10 wt% molybdenum.

[0011] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a product of a sorbent, wherein the sorbent comprises activated carbon, reactivated carbon, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, silica, silica gel, alumina, diatomite, and combinations thereof.

[0012] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a sorbent product in which the halide comprises chloride, iodide, or a combination thereof.

[0013] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a sorbent product comprising about 0.1 to about 2 wt% of chloride.

[0014] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a sorbent product comprising about 0.4 to about 7 wt% of iodide.

[0015] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a sorbent product in which the sorbent product further comprises about 0.5 to about 5 wt% of sulfate.

[0016] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a sorbent product having a mercury breakthrough time of at least about 480 minutes.

[0017] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a sorbent product having a mercury breakthrough time of at least about 1,000 minutes.

[0018] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a sorbent product having an ammonia breakthrough time of at least about 30 minutes.

[0019] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a sorbent product having a sulfur dioxide breakthrough time of at least about 40 minutes.

[0020] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a sorbent product having a cyclohexane breakthrough time of at least about 30 minutes.

[0021] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a sorbent product in which the CCl4 sorption time of the sorbent product is at least about 10 minutes.

[0022] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing a sorbent product,

[0023] Step of forming an aqueous solution containing halide, copper and molybdenum and

[0024] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a binder product, comprising the step of contacting a binder supply raw material with the above aqueous solution to form a binder product.

[0025] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for manufacturing a sorbent product, wherein the sorbent feedstock comprises activated carbon, reactivated carbon, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, silica, silica gel, alumina, diatomite, or a combination thereof.

[0026] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for manufacturing a sorbent product, wherein the sorbent feedstock comprises activated carbon formed from bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite, anthracite, peat, nut shells, seeds, coconut, babassu nut, macadamia nut, dandelion nut, peach pit, cherry pit, olive pit, walnut shell, wood, bagasse, rice bran, corn husk, wheat bran, polymer, resin, petroleum pitch, or a combination thereof.

[0027] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for manufacturing a sorbent product comprising about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of halide, about 0.1 to about 20 wt% of copper, and about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of molybdenum.

[0028] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for manufacturing a sorbent product in which the halide comprises chloride, iodide, or a combination thereof.

[0029] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein is a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream,

[0030] As a step of contacting a fluid stream with a sorbent product,

[0031] The above-mentioned adsorbent product includes a first surface deposit, and the first surface deposit

[0032] The present invention relates to a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream, comprising the contact step comprising about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of halide, about 0.1 to about 20 wt% of copper, and about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of molybdenum.

[0033] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream, wherein the adsorbent comprises activated carbon, reactivated carbon, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, silica, silica gel, alumina, diatomite, and combinations thereof.

[0034] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream, wherein the halide comprises chloride, iodide, or a combination thereof.

[0035] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream, wherein the mercury breakthrough time of the adsorbent product is at least about 480 minutes.

[0036] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream, wherein the mercury breakthrough time of the adsorbent product is at least about 1,000 minutes.

[0037] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream in which the mercury is in the form of elemental mercury, a mercury-containing compound, or a combination thereof.

[0038] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream, further comprising the step of removing ammonia, sulfur dioxide, cyclohexane, CCl4, or a combination thereof from the fluid stream.

[0039] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream, wherein the ammonia breakthrough time of the adsorbent product is at least about 30 minutes.

[0040] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream, wherein the sulfur dioxide breakthrough time of the adsorbent product is at least about 40 minutes.

[0041] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream, wherein the cyclohexane breakthrough time of the adsorbent product is at least about 30 minutes.

[0042] In some embodiments, the technology disclosed herein relates to a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream, wherein the CCl4 filtration time of the adsorbent product is at least about 10 minutes. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0043] Before disclosing the compositions and methods of the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto, as the specific methods, compositions, or methodologies disclosed may vary. Furthermore, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification are used solely for the purpose of describing specific versions or embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and that the present invention is limited only by the appended claims. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art. Methods and materials similar or equivalent to those disclosed herein may be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, but preferred methods, apparatuses, and materials are described below. All published documents mentioned herein are incorporated in their entirety by reference. Nothing in this specification should be construed as an acknowledgment that the present invention cannot be prior to the aforementioned disclosures by any prior art.

[0044] Additionally, it should be noted that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" used in this specification and the appended claims include the plural forms unless otherwise indicated by the context. For example, a reference to "a combustion chamber" refers to "one or more combustion chambers" and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art.

[0045] The term "about" as used herein means plus or minus 10% of the value in which the above term is used. Accordingly, "about 50%" means a range of 45 to 55%, and also includes exactly 50%.

[0046] As used herein, the term “adsorbent” refers to an adsorbent compound that can serve as a precursor or intermediate for a final adsorbent. Examples of adsorbents include, but are not limited to, activated carbon, natural zeolites, synthetic zeolites, silica, silica gel, alumina, zirconia, diatomite, and metal-organic frameworks.

[0047] As used herein, the term "adhesive" means that, in some embodiments, it includes an adhesive treated by thermal, chemical, or other means.

[0048] Various aspects of the present invention relate to an adsorbent for removing harmful or toxic gases from air or other gas streams. Other aspects relate to a method for manufacturing said adsorbent and a filter device comprising said adsorbent.

[0049] There is still a need for adsorbents capable of removing mercury along with other contaminants. U.S. Patent No. 5,492,882, the full text of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses chromium-free activated carbon for removing toxic vapors; however, the mercury removal performance of such adsorbents and existing adsorbents is poor, and an effective mercury removal adsorbent that maintains high performance for the removal of other contaminants has not yet been developed.

[0050] In some embodiments, a composition for removing contaminants, e.g., mercury and mercury-containing compounds, from a fluid stream is provided. In some embodiments, the fluid stream is a gas stream. The composition may comprise a first adsorbent, and in some embodiments, the first adsorbent comprises an adsorbent material. In some embodiments, the adsorbent material, e.g., activated carbon, is treated or processed to provide a final adsorbent.

[0051] The embodiments are not limited to any specific adsorbent. For example, the adsorbent may be activated carbon, reactivated carbon, natural and synthetic zeolites, silica, silica gel, alumina, diatomaceous earth, zirconia, etc., and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the adsorbent may include a metal-organic framework (MOF) alone or in combination with other adsorbents listed above. In certain embodiments, the adsorbent may be activated carbon or reactivated carbon. In these embodiments, the activated carbon may be obtained from any source and may be prepared from various starting materials. For example, materials suitable for the manufacture of activated carbon include, but are not limited to, various grades of coal, e.g., anthracite, semi-anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite, or wood charcoal; nut shells, e.g., coconut shells; wood; vegetables, e.g., rice bran or straw; residues or by-products from petroleum processing; and natural or synthetic polymeric materials. Carbonaceous materials can be processed into carbon adsorbents by any conventional thermal or chemical method known in the art, and will have essentially different surface areas and pore volumes depending on the starting material and processing method used. In certain embodiments, the activated carbon may be coal-based activated carbon, and in some embodiments, the starting material may be bituminous coal.

[0052] The adsorbent products disclosed herein may be used to adsorb or remove various toxic or harmful gases and organic vapors from a fluid stream, for example, air, by means of, for example, a catalyst, a reaction, or other means. A wide variety of toxic or harmful gases, for example, HCN, CNCl, H2S, Cl2, SO2, NO, NO2, formaldehyde, and NH3, may be removed by said adsorbent. Likewise, various organic vapors, for example, CCl4, cyclohexane, benzene, toluene, acetone, organic solvents, etc., may be adsorbed by the adsorbent disclosed herein. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the adsorbent may be provided in a fixed bed through which a gas stream containing or likely to contain toxic or harmful contaminants passes. In other embodiments, the adsorbent may be contained within a housing attached, for example, to a respirator, gas mask, compressed breathing air device, etc., through which a gas stream potentially containing toxic or harmful contaminants passes.

[0053] A sorbent product comprising a sorbent, wherein the sorbent has a surface deposit comprising, based on the total weight of the sorbent, about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of halide, about 0.1 to about 20 wt% of copper, and about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of molybdenum.

[0054] The adsorbent may include activated carbon, reactivated carbon, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, silica, silica gel, alumina, diatomaceous earth, and combinations thereof. As disclosed herein, the adsorbent may be derived from any source. For example, the adsorbent may include activated carbon or reactivated carbon formed from bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite, anthracite, peat, nut shells, seeds, coconut, babassu nut, macadamia nut, denden nut, peach pit, cherry pit, olive pit, walnut shell, wood, bagasse, rice bran, corn husk, wheat bran, polymer, resin, petroleum pitch, or combinations thereof.

[0055] In some embodiments, the adsorbent product may contain a halide in an amount of any value within a range formed by about 0.1 wt%, about 0.2 wt%, about 0.3 wt%, about 0.4 wt%, about 0.5 wt%, about 1 wt%, about 2 wt%, about 3 wt%, about 4 wt%, about 5 wt%, about 6 wt%, about 7 wt%, about 8 wt%, about 9 wt%, about 10 wt%, or any two of the above values. The halide may include chloride, iodide, or a combination thereof.

[0056] In some embodiments, the adsorbent product may contain copper in an amount of any value within a range formed by about 0.1 wt%, about 0.5 wt%, about 1 wt%, about 2 wt%, about 3 wt%, about 4 wt%, about 5 wt%, about 6 wt%, about 7 wt%, about 8 wt%, about 9 wt%, about 10 wt%, about 11 wt%, about 12 wt%, about 13 wt%, about 14 wt%, about 15 wt%, about 16 wt%, about 17 wt%, about 18 wt%, about 19 wt%, about 20 wt%, or any two of the above values.

[0057] In some embodiments, the adsorbent product may contain molybdenum in an amount of any value within a range formed by about 0.1 wt%, about 0.5 wt%, about 1 wt%, about 2 wt%, about 3 wt%, about 4 wt%, about 5 wt%, about 6 wt%, about 7 wt%, about 8 wt%, about 9 wt%, about 10 wt%, or any two of the above values.

[0058] In some embodiments, the adsorbent product further comprises a value of sulfate within a range formed of about 0.5 to about 5 wt%, for example, about 0.5 wt%, about 1 wt%, about 2 wt%, about 3 wt%, about 4 wt%, about 5 wt%, or any two of the above values.

[0059] In some embodiments, adsorbent products may be used to evaluate their efficacy in removing mercury or other contaminants from a fluid stream. One such evaluation method is the measurement of breakthrough time, which indicates the time at which the composition can no longer absorb or adsorb the contaminant. In some embodiments, the adsorbent product has a mercury breakthrough time of at least about 450 minutes, about 480 minutes, about 500 minutes, about 600 minutes, about 700 minutes, about 800 minutes, about 900 minutes, about 1,000 minutes, for example, about 1,000 minutes, about 1,200 minutes, about 1,400 minutes, about 1,600 minutes, about 1,800 minutes, about 2,000 minutes, about 2,200 minutes, about 2,400 minutes, about 2,600 minutes, about 2,800 minutes, about 3,000 minutes, about 3,200 minutes, about 3,400 minutes, about 3,600 minutes, or any two of the above values. In some embodiments, the adsorbent product can remove mercury in addition to removing other contaminants, such as acidic gases, basic gases, organic vapors, etc., from a fluid stream.

[0060] In some embodiments, the adsorbent product of the present invention has an ammonia breakthrough time of at least about 30 minutes, for example, about 30 minutes, about 35 minutes, about 40 minutes, about 45 minutes, about 50 minutes, about 55 minutes, about 60 minutes, about 70 minutes, about 80 minutes, etc. In some embodiments, the adsorbent product of the present invention has a sulfur dioxide breakthrough time of at least about 40 minutes, for example, about 40 minutes, about 45 minutes, about 50 minutes, about 55 minutes, about 60 minutes, about 70 minutes, about 80 minutes, etc.

[0061] In some embodiments, the adsorbent product of the present invention provides significantly improved mercury removal compared to an adsorbent of a similar composition that does not contain halides. In some embodiments, the adsorbent product of the present invention provides at least 10 times increased mercury removal performance compared to an adsorbent that does not contain halides as disclosed herein.

[0062] In some embodiments, the cyclohexane breakthrough time of the adsorbent product of the present invention is at least about 30 minutes, for example, about 30 minutes, about 40 minutes, about 50 minutes, about 60 minutes, about 70 minutes, about 80 minutes, etc.

[0063] In some embodiments, the adsorbent product of the present invention has a CCl4 breakthrough time of at least about 10 minutes, for example, about 10 minutes, about 15 minutes, about 20 minutes, about 25 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 40 minutes, about 50 minutes, about 60 minutes, etc.

[0064] Certain embodiments relate to a method for preparing the above composition. In some embodiments, the method may include one or more steps of impregnating a sorbent with an additive. As described above, the sorbent may include any of activated carbon, reactivated carbon, natural and synthetic zeolites, silica, silica gel, alumina, diatomaceous earth, zirconia, etc., and combinations thereof. The impregnation step is widely known in the art and can be performed in various ways. Generally, impregnation includes the step of contacting the sorbent with an impregnation solution in which one or more additives are dissolved or dispersed by immersion or other means. The impregnation solution may include one or more additives that associate with the sorbent while the sorbent is in contact with the impregnation solution. Impregnation may be performed in one or more impregnation steps. For example, in some embodiments, all additives included on the sorbent may be included in the impregnation solution so that all additives may associate with the sorbent in a single impregnation step. In another embodiment, the impregnation solution may contain a single additive, and a separate impregnation step may be required for each additive included on the adsorbent. In another embodiment, impregnation may be performed by impregnating with a first impregnation solution containing two or more additives, and then impregnating with a second impregnation solution containing one or more additives. In another embodiment, impregnation may be performed using three or more impregnation steps in which each impregnation solution contains one, two, three, four or more types of additives. In some embodiments, an impregnated adsorbent is formed by impregnating the adsorbent with an additive as disclosed herein.

[0065] In some embodiments, a method for manufacturing a sorbent product is provided, comprising the steps of forming an aqueous solution containing a halide, copper, and molybdenum, and contacting a sorbent feed material with said aqueous solution to form a sorbent product.

[0066] In some embodiments, the adsorbent feedstock comprises activated carbon, reactivated carbon, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, silica, silica gel, alumina, diatomaceous earth, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the adsorbent feedstock comprises activated carbon or reactivated carbon formed from bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite, anthracite, peat, nut shells, seeds, coconut, babassu nut, macadamia nut, dandelion nut, peach pit, cherry pit, olive pit, walnut shell, wood, bagasse, rice bran, corn husk, wheat bran, polymer, resin, petroleum pitch, or combinations thereof.

[0067] In certain embodiments, the liquid portion of the impregnation solution in which the halide, copper, and molybdenum are dissolved or dispersed may be water. In other embodiments, the liquid portion of the impregnation solution may be an aqueous solution of water and auxiliary components provided to aid in the dissolution of the compounds into the impregnation solution. The impregnation solution may further include other additives. The aqueous solution may contain certain amounts of halide, copper, and molybdenum, so that the resulting adsorbent product may contain about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of halide, about 0.1 to about 20 wt% of copper, and about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of molybdenum as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the impregnation of the adsorbent feedstock may be performed in a single step or in multiple sequential steps using multiple solutions.

[0068] A method of some embodiments may include a step of drying the adsorbent after impregnation. Drying is generally performed after impregnation and / or between impregnation steps if the method includes one or more impregnation steps. Drying may be performed by any means, and in some embodiments, drying may be performed in an oven, a kiln, or a fluidized bed. In certain embodiments, the method may include a step of wetting the dried activated carbon. Wetting may be performed by any means, for example, including spraying water onto the adsorbent. In some embodiments, wetting may produce an adsorbent having a moisture content of up to about 25%, and in other embodiments, wetting may produce an adsorbent having a moisture content of about 2% to about 10%. In further embodiments, wetting may produce an adsorbent having a moisture content of about 4% to about 8%. In some embodiments, drying the impregnated adsorbent forms a dried impregnated adsorbent.

[0069] In some embodiments, the apparent density of the adsorbent product has a value within a range formed from about 0.5 to about 0.8 g / cc, for example, about 0.5 g / cc, about 0.6 g / cc, about 0.7 g / cc, about 0.8 g / cc, or any two of the above values.

[0070] In some embodiments, a method for removing mercury from a fluid stream is provided. The method may include the step of providing a composition disclosed herein (e.g., a sorbent product having a first surface deposit, wherein the first surface deposit comprises about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of halide, about 0.1 to about 20 wt% of copper, and about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of molybdenum) and the contact step of contacting an initial fluid stream with the sorbent product to remove mercury and optionally other contaminants from the fluid stream. In some embodiments, the step of contacting the fluid stream with the sorbent product comprises the step of passing the fluid stream over or through the composition by means known to those skilled in the art. The mercury in the fluid stream may be in the form of elemental mercury, a mercury-containing compound, or a combination thereof.

[0071] In some embodiments, the concentration of mercury or mercury-containing compounds in the fluid stream is lower after the fluid stream comes into contact with the adsorbent product. The concentration of mercury and mercury-containing compounds in the fluid stream can be measured by any method known to those skilled in the art.

[0072] In some embodiments, the method further comprises the step of removing ammonia, sulfur dioxide, organic vapor, or a combination thereof from a fluid stream in addition to removing mercury. In some embodiments, after the fluid stream comes into contact with the adsorbent product disclosed herein, the concentration of mercury, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, organic vapor, or a combination thereof is lowered.

[0073] Further embodiments relate to a filter that purifies a fluid stream using the above-mentioned adsorbent. Such embodiments are not limited to a specific type of filter. In some embodiments, the filter may be an air filter for civilian or military use, for example, a personal protective gas mask filter, an emergency rescue mask filter, or a mass protection filter. In other embodiments, the filter may be an air filter for industrial use, for example, an automotive cabin air purification system.

[0074] Filters of various embodiments may have any design and may include at least a housing, said housing comprising a compartment configured to hold an adsorbent and allow a fluid stream to pass over or through said adsorbent. Such filters may include various additional components, for example, a screen or other means holding activated carbon within the compartment, or additional purification devices, for example, a filtration membrane, a particulate filter, etc. In some embodiments, the housing may include various components necessary to allow the filter to be included in a device such as a large air purifier in which a fluid stream, for example, air containing vehicle exhaust gas, flows from one compartment to another and passes through the filter during transport. In particular, the filter may include an inlet port for introducing the fluid stream into the filter and an outlet port for discharging the filtered fluid stream from the filter. In some embodiments, the filter may include a removable means for connecting to a gas source at the inlet port, for example, a pipe, a hose, a tube fitting, etc.

[0075] Examples

[0076] The following examples were carried out according to the embodiments of the present invention.

[0077] Various adsorbents according to the embodiments of the present invention have been provided. Table 1 represents the compositions of Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, Example 1, and Example 2, respectively.

[0078]

[0079] Table 1 As shown in [figure], Comparative Example 1 is a base adsorbent that does not contain a halide, Comparative Example 2 is one to which iodine (as I2) is added, Example 1 contains chloride, and Example 2 contains iodide.

[0080]

[0081] Table 2 References refer to a comparative adsorbent that does not contain halides (Comparative Example 1) and demonstrate a significant improvement in mercury removal when using the chloride-containing adsorbent and iodide-containing adsorbent (Examples 1 and 2) of the present invention. The adsorbent of the present invention maintained the removal performance of sulfur dioxide, ammonia, cyclohexane, and carbon tetrachloride compared to Comparative Example 1, indicating that the adsorbent product of the present invention can be used as a multi-gas removal adsorbent. Comparative Example 2 is a base adsorbent with added iodine, demonstrating that mercury removal performance can be improved simply by adding iodine to the base adsorbent (without changing the adsorbent components). Although not intended to be linked to theory, Table 2 The results show that adding a halide can significantly improve the mercury removal performance of the base adsorbent without reducing the removal performance of other contaminants.

[0082] In the foregoing detailed description, reference is made to the attached drawings, which constitute part of the invention. In the drawings, similar symbols generally represent similar components unless otherwise interpreted in the context. The exemplary embodiments disclosed in the detailed description, drawings, and claims should not be interpreted as restrictive. Other embodiments may be used and other modifications made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Generally, various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein and illustrated in the drawings may be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly taken into account in the invention.

[0083] The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in this application, and such embodiments are merely illustrative for explaining various aspects. Many modifications and variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is obvious to those skilled in the art. Except for those listed in this specification, functionally equivalent methods and apparatus within the scope of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art through the specification. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The present invention is limited only by the contents of the appended claims and the full scope of all equivalents included therein. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to specific methods, reagents, compounds, compositions, or biological systems, and that they may, of course, be varied in many ways. Furthermore, the terms used herein are used solely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and should not be interpreted in a restrictive sense.

[0084] With respect to all plural and / or singular terms substantially used herein, those skilled in the art may translate the plural into the singular or the singular into the plural depending on the context and / or application. For clarity, various singular / plural combinations may be explicitly stated herein.

[0085] Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms generally used herein, particularly those used in the appended claims (e.g., the body of the appended claims), are intended to be "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited thereto," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "including but not limited thereto," etc.). Various compositions, methods, and apparatuses and various components or steps are described by the term "including" (interpreted to mean "including but not limited thereto," but such compositions, methods, and apparatuses may be "essentially composed" or "consist of" various components and steps, and such terms should be interpreted to define essentially closed groups. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that if a specific number of introduced claim references are intended, such intent is explicitly stated in the claims, and where such mention is absent, such intent is not.

[0086] For example, for the sake of understanding, the appended claims below may use the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim citations. However, the use of such phrases should not be interpreted to mean that introducing a claim citation with the indefinite article “a” or “an” limits any specific claim containing said introduced claim citation to a mode containing only such citation, and the same applies even when the same claim contains the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and the indefinite article “a” or “an” (for example, “a” and / or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”). The same applies to the definite article used to introduce a claimed citation.

[0087] Furthermore, even where a specific number of introduced claim citations are explicitly mentioned, those skilled in the art will recognize that such citations should be interpreted to mean at least the number cited (e.g., a citation of "2 citations" without any other modifiers means at least 2 citations or 2 or more citations). Additionally, where conventions similar to "at least one of A, B, C, etc." are used, such structures are generally intended to have the meaning understood by those skilled in the art (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, C" includes, but is not limited to, a system having only A, a system having only B, a system having only C, a system having both A and B, a system having both A and C, a system having both B and C, and / or a system having A, B, and C together). Where conventions similar to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." are used, such structures should generally be interpreted in the sense understood by a person skilled in the art (for example, "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" includes, but is not limited to, a system having only A, a system having only B, a system having only C, a system having both A and B, a system having both A and C, a system having both B and C, and / or a system having A, B, and C). Furthermore, a person skilled in the art will understand that almost any optional word and / or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms in the specification, claims, or drawings should be understood as considering the possibility of including one of those terms, one of the two terms, or both of the terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" should be understood as including the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0088] Furthermore, where a characteristic configuration or aspect of the present invention is described as a Markush group, those skilled in the art will understand that the content of the present invention is described as all individual members of the Markush group or as subgroups of the members.

[0089] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, for example, in the interest of providing the specification, all scopes disclosed herein include any and all possible sub-scopes and combinations thereof. All enumerated scopes can be readily recognized as sufficiently explaining and enabling that the same scope can be divided into at least an equal half, one-third, one-fourth, one-fifth, one-tenth, etc. As a non-limiting example, each scope discussed herein can be readily divided into a lower one-third, a middle one-third, an upper one-third, etc. Also, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, all expressions such as “maximum,” “at least,” etc. include specified numbers and indicate a scope that can be divided into sub-scopes as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, a scope includes each individual member. For example, a group having 1 to 3 compounds indicates a group having 1, 2, or 3 compounds. Likewise, a group having 1 to 5 compounds is a formula representing a group having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 compounds.

[0090] Various of the above and other characteristic configurations and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into various other different systems or applications. Various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements that are not currently foreseeable or anticipated may be made later by those skilled in the art, and each of such alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements is also intended to be included in the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

Claim 1 A sorbent material product comprising a sorbent material, wherein the sorbent material has a surface deposit comprising about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of halide, about 0.1 to about 20 wt% of copper, and about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of molybdenum. Claim 2 A product of a sorbent according to claim 1, wherein the sorbent comprises activated carbon, reactivated carbon, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, silica, silica gel, alumina, diatomite, and combinations thereof. Claim 3 A product of a soaking agent according to claim 1, wherein the halide comprises chloride, iodide, or a combination thereof. Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the adsorbent product comprises about 0.1 to about 2 wt% of chloride. Claim 5 In paragraph 3, the adsorbent product comprises about 0.4 to about 7 wt% of iodide. Claim 6 The adsorbent product according to claim 1, wherein the adsorbent product further comprises about 0.5 to about 5 wt% of sulfate. Claim 7 A sorbent product according to claim 1, wherein the mercury breakthrough time of the sorbent product is at least about 480 minutes. Claim 8 A sorbent product according to claim 1, wherein the mercury breakthrough time of the sorbent product is at least about 1,000 minutes. Claim 9 A sorbent product according to claim 1, wherein the ammonia breakthrough time of the sorbent product is at least about 30 minutes. Claim 10 A sorbent product according to claim 1, wherein the sulfur dioxide breakthrough time of the sorbent product is at least about 40 minutes. Claim 11 A sorbent product according to claim 1, wherein the cyclohexane breakthrough time of the sorbent product is at least about 30 minutes. Claim 12 A sorbent product according to claim 1, wherein the CCl4 penetration time of the sorbent product is at least about 10 minutes. Claim 13 A method for manufacturing a sorbent product, comprising the steps of forming an aqueous solution containing a halide, copper, and molybdenum, and contacting a sorbent feed material with the aqueous solution to form a sorbent product. Claim 14 A method for manufacturing a sorbent product according to claim 13, wherein the sorbent feed material comprises activated carbon, reactivated carbon, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, silica, silica gel, alumina, diatomaceous earth, or a combination thereof. Claim 15 A method for manufacturing a sorbent product according to claim 13, wherein the sorbent feedstock comprises activated carbon formed from bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite, anthracite, peat, nut shells, seeds, coconut, babassu nut, macadamia nut, dandelion nut, peach pit, cherry pit, olive pit, walnut shell, wood, bagasse, rice bran, corn husk, wheat bran, polymer, resin, petroleum pitch, or a combination thereof. Claim 16 A method for manufacturing a sorbent product according to claim 13, wherein the sorbent product comprises about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of halide, about 0.1 to about 20 wt% of copper, and about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of molybdenum. Claim 17 A method for manufacturing a sorbent product according to claim 13, wherein the halide comprises chloride, iodide, or a combination thereof. Claim 18 A method for removing mercury from a fluid stream, comprising the step of contacting the fluid stream with a sorbent product, wherein the sorbent product comprises a first surface deposit, and the first surface deposit A method for removing mercury from a fluid stream, comprising the contact step comprising about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of halide, about 0.1 to about 20 wt% of copper, and about 0.1 to about 10 wt% of molybdenum. Claim 19 A method for removing mercury from a fluid stream according to claim 18, wherein the adsorbent comprises activated carbon, reactivated carbon, natural zeolite, synthetic zeolite, silica, silica gel, alumina, diatomite, and combinations thereof. Claim 20 A method for removing mercury from a fluid stream according to claim 18, wherein the halide comprises chloride, iodide, or a combination thereof. Claim 21 A method for removing mercury from a fluid stream according to claim 18, wherein the mercury breakthrough time of the adsorbent product is at least about 480 minutes. Claim 22 A method for removing mercury from a fluid stream according to claim 18, wherein the mercury breakthrough time of the adsorbent product is at least about 1,000 minutes. Claim 23 A method for removing mercury from a fluid stream in the form of elemental mercury, a mercury-containing compound, or a combination thereof, in paragraph 18. Claim 24 A method for removing mercury from a fluid stream according to claim 18, further comprising the step of removing ammonia, sulfur dioxide, cyclohexane, CCl4, or a combination thereof from the fluid stream. Claim 25 A method for removing mercury from a fluid stream according to claim 18, wherein the ammonia breakthrough time of the adsorbent product is at least about 30 minutes. Claim 26 A method for removing mercury from a fluid stream according to claim 18, wherein the sulfur dioxide breakthrough time of the above-mentioned adsorbent product is at least about 40 minutes. Claim 27 A method for removing mercury from a fluid stream according to claim 18, wherein the cyclohexane breakthrough time of the adsorbent product is at least about 30 minutes. Claim 28 A method for removing mercury from a fluid stream according to claim 18, wherein the CCl4 penetration time of the adsorbent product is at least about 10 minutes.

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