Patent ID: 7771700

Claim:
A process for forming micro-porous particulates composed substantially of metal sulfides for use as sorbents for mercury comprising: Subjecting particulates composed substantially of metal sulfates, metal sulfites, or a combination thereof, to chemical reduction at a temperature in excess of about 900 degrees C. employing carbon, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, or a hydrocarbon such as natural gas as the reductant, to form particulates composed substantially of metal sulfides; admixing said particulates composed substantially of metal sulfides with up to 10% by weight of one or more polyvalent metal chlorides, or one or more polyvalent metal nitrates, or one or more polyvalent metal polysulfides, or sulfur, or any combination of these materials; then mechanically reducing the size of said particulates composed substantially of metal sulfides to an average particle size below about 20 microns.