Apparatus and method for continuous retorting of mercury from ores and others mercury contaminated materials

A mercury retorting apparatus, a retorting system, and a method for continuous removal of mercury from dry, semi-granular, and sludge materials contaminated with mercury without shutting down the system for removal of accumulated liquid mercury, water, and dust particles. The retorting apparatus comprises a powered screw feed assembly having a feed tube with a closely fitting feed screw therein. The screw feed assembly feeds the material from the lower portion of a hopper configured to contain a quantity thereof into a rotatably powered retorting tube in which a vacuum is drawn. The material forms a seal within the powered screw feed assembly against vacuum loss in the retorting tube during operation thereof. A first rotatable seal between the feed tube and retorting tube prevents vacuum loss therebetween. An elongate electric kiln encloses the mid-portion of the retorting tube. An output hopper for receiving retorted material from the retorting tube is connected to the opposite end thereof by means of a second rotary seal. An outlet pipe assembly extends downwardly from the outlet hopper having an outlet pipe with a valved airlock to allow retorted material to pass therethrough. An off gas outlet pipe extends from the output hopper for removing off gasses containing mercury vapor for collection. The mercury retorting system comprises the mercury retorting apparatus, a pair of valved mercury recovery systems connected in parallel to the retorting apparatus for condensing the mercury vapor from the offgasses, and a vacuum pump connected to the mercury recovery systems.