METHOD FOR PREPARING A SORBENT

The method of preparing a heavy metal copper sulphide sorbent precursor comprises mixing a support, such as alumina, silicon carbide, silica, titania, zirconia, zinc oxide, aluminosilicates, zeolites, metal carbonate or carbon, and at least one binder, such as clay, cement or organic polymer binder, shaping the support by granulation to form agglomerates, coating the agglomerates with a coating mixture comprising a copper compound, such copper oxide, copper carbonate, and at least one binder, and drying the coated agglomerate to form a dried sorbent precursor. The sorbent precursor may be sulphided, with hydrogen sulphide, alkali metal sulphide, ammonium sulphide, elemental sulphur or a polysulphide, and used to remove heavy metals such as mercury from fluid streams.