Industries Served

Quicksilver Scientific is the technology leader in low level mercury analysis for industrial applications (mercury speciation, sequential extractions, etc.).  Understanding the levels and functional forms of mercury in industrial production processes provides key insights into structural design requirements and process development issues.  By leveraging the mercury chemistry expertise of Dr. Christopher Shade, Quicksilver is able to provide innovative analytical lab testing and consulting services to the following industries:

Oil and Gas

Mercury exists in crude oil in several forms.  This is a source of concern from an environmental and an Occupational Health and Safety standpoint.  In addition to this, mercury levels affect the processing, price and quality of crude oil.  Certain regions of the world have crude oil streams that contain high levels of mercury.  The presence of mercury represents a serious challenge to the safe and cost-effective drilling, storing and processing of crude oil.  Quicksilver provides innovative mercury measurement solutions for petroleum feedstocks, refined petroleum products, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), natural gas and cracked naphtha.

Quicksilver leverages technical leadership in mercury chemistry by delineating the effects of mercury on process equipment and developing/evaluating decontamination chemistries.  In addition, Quicksilver is developing on-site monitoring technologies for Occupational Health and Safety applications.

Chlor-Alkali

This industry is one of the major consumers of mercury worldwide.  Mercury cells are used for the production of chlorine, hydrogen and sodium hydroxides.  Although newer mercury-free technology has greatly reduced the use of mercury in this industry, the potential release of mercury waste/sludge is still a concern.  Quicksilver Scientific provides analytical lab testing and on-site monitoring to help chlor-alkali manufacturers evaluate and manage the environmental impact of mercury from older production facilities as well as plants undergoing the decommission process.  Quicksilver also has the technical expertise to design and/or evaluate remediation technologies.

Cement

Concern about mercury emissions from cement kilns is growing.  This has resulted in increased cement industry activity in developing cost-effective options for controlling and monitoring these mercury emissions.  Because of the wide variety of raw materials and fuels used in the manufacturing process, cement plants have a wide range of mercury inputs and emission rates.  Quicksilver Scientific can help cement manufacturers determine the source and environmental impact of mercury emissions as well as evaluate potential remediation and control technologies.

Coal

Fly ash, a residue generated by combustion in coal-fired power plants, is comprised of fine particles that rise with hot flue gases.  Depending on the source and type of coal, the components of fly ash can vary greatly.  For example, mercury levels in fly ash vary according to specific coal bed makeup.  Depending on the source, coal may contain mercury levels ranging from trace to several percent.  Also, many bituminous coals mined in the Eastern U.S. are “cleaned” prior to combustion to reduce sulfur emissions.  A benefit of this sulfur reduction process is the partial removal of mercury.  However, sulfur reduction does create a residue which contains varying amounts of mercury.  Quicksilver Scientific performs environmental impact studies and develops complete remediation strategies that measure, predict and control toxic mercury emissions from coal-fired utility power stations.

Mining

Although the amalgamation process is no longer formally used by the gold mining industry, mercury still remains a concern.   Mercury is naturally present in gold ore and must be removed through leaching and precipitation processes.  Quicksilver can design remediation strategies and generate data for environmental impact assessments to quantify and control the mercury present in mining waste.

Pharmaceutical

Mercury compounds may be present in process waste effluents generated by pharmaceutical manufacturing processes.  Quicksilver Scientific can perform speciation analysis on these effluents to determine the distribution of mercury forms and total mercury present in process waste.