A brief description of the treatment process for mercury-containing sludge from oil drilling waste

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A brief description of the treatment process for mercury-containing sludge from oil drilling waste

Pub Date:Oct 13, 2025 | Views:82 |

In the oil drilling industry, the mercury-containing Drilling waste management is essential for environmental protection. At present, various mercury removal
processes have been applied in China, mainly including chemical separation, pyrolysis, solidification and stabilization, as well as comprehensive utilization of
resources and other technical routes.

The specific methods and effects of different processes are shown in the table:

Technology
Specific methods/Agents
Main effects/Characteristics
Chemical separation method
Sulfide (such as sodium sulfide and sodium polysulfide), heavy metal ion scavenger, organic mercury removal agent containing sulfur and phosphorus, demulsifier/flocculant.
Mercury is separated by chemical reaction to form stable sulfide precipitation or soluble complex. Can be integrated into the processes of centrifugation, flocculation and the like.
Pyrolysis method
Indirect heating without oxygen (pyrolysis adsorption)
Heating in an oxygen-free environment decomposes mercury-containing organic matter, and heavy metals such as mercury are fixed in the residue. After treatment, the oil content of residue is extremely low.
Curing/stabilization
Mixed and solidified with cementing materials such as sulfur-fixing ash and cement.
Through chemical chelation (such as heavy metal ion capture agent) and physical wrapping, heavy metals such as mercury are stabilized in the solidified body for brick making or paving.
Resource technology
Oil phase recovery, abrasive recycling and solidified body utilization.
Recover oil resources, and the treated solids (such as abrasives and solidified bodies) can be reused after meeting the requirements of environmental protection, such as paving roads and making bricks.

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Technology	Specific methods/Agents	Main effects/Characteristics
Chemical separation method	Sulfide (such as sodium sulfide and sodium polysulfide), heavy metal ion scavenger, organic mercury removal agent containing sulfur and phosphorus, demulsifier/flocculant.	Mercury is separated by chemical reaction to form stable sulfide precipitation or soluble complex. Can be integrated into the processes of centrifugation, flocculation and the like.
Pyrolysis method	Indirect heating without oxygen (pyrolysis adsorption)	Heating in an oxygen-free environment decomposes mercury-containing organic matter, and heavy metals such as mercury are fixed in the residue. After treatment, the oil content of residue is extremely low.
Curing/stabilization	Mixed and solidified with cementing materials such as sulfur-fixing ash and cement.	Through chemical chelation (such as heavy metal ion capture agent) and physical wrapping, heavy metals such as mercury are stabilized in the solidified body for brick making or paving.
Resource technology	Oil phase recovery, abrasive recycling and solidified body utilization.	Recover oil resources, and the treated solids (such as abrasives and solidified bodies) can be reused after meeting the requirements of environmental protection, such as paving roads and making bricks.