Bethlehem Apparatus is continually developing new systems and specialized mercury processing equipment to meet the need of our clients. One such system was developed in response to a need in the mining industry for a cost-effective method of disposing of calomel, a mercury-bearing by-product generated from pollution control equipment using the Norzink process. After consultation with Universal Dynamics of Vancouver, B.C., Bethlehem Apparatus developed and built a proprietary calomel processing system.

Bethlehem's unique process converts calomel HgCI into elemental mercury and waste salt water. The process uses a chemical conversion step to convert calomel in to mercury/mercuric oxide followed by retort distillation of the chemical filtrate into elemental mercury. The chlorine removed is then disposed as non-hazardous salt water. Recovered elemental mercury is quadruple distilled and sold to industrial users. Process capacity is 600 tons per year.