An Efficient and Inexpensive Device for Recovering Spilled Mercury Several notes have appeared in this Journal addressing the problem of removing mercury spil1s.I A few suggest the use of vacuum methods, using electrical pumps, to collect the m e r ~ u r y .There ~ is always likelihood of small mercury spills around palarographie equipment, even with relatively modern instruments. In our instrumental laboratory we have been using a simple mechanical vacuum device for several years with very satisfactory results. The basic component of the instrument isa hand-operatedvacuum pump capable of moving about 36 mL of air per stroke. These pumps are readilv available throwh " a number of distributors of scientific equipment. The intake port of the pump is attached to the collection component of the apparatus via a short piece of tightly fitting tubing as indicated in the diagram. The collection segment consists of a plastic collectionsegment me device for recovering specimen bottle (-10 mL), tightly closed with a one-hole rubber stop- msrcurv SDIII~ per. A right-angle tube is inserted into the hole for connecting to the pump. (A plastic T-joint with one arm securely plugged is a very adequate substitute). A second, very small hole is drilled into the stopper so thet asturdy piece of small-diameter tubing can be inserted through the stopper to ashortdistance above the bottom of the collecting cup. The plastic tubes that are furnished with spray cans of TV tuner lubricant are ideal for this purpose. A piece of flexible tubing (Tygon R-44-4X or equivalent), about 50 cm Long and of sufficiently small inner diameter, is fitted securely over the external end of the tube. Another portion of the sturdy tube is inserted a t the opposite end of the flexible tubing to complete the assembly. One stroke of the pump is usually all that is required to pick up mercury drops of various sizes when the end piece is held dose to them. The apparatus is especially useful when attempting to retrieve mercury droplets trapped in crevices. ~
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Figueira, A. R.; Coch,J. A. J. Chsm. Educ. 1988, 85, 724: Anderson, D. H.; Murphy, P. J.; White, W. W. J. Chem. Educ 1978, 55, A74: B0wIMker.G. A. J. Chem Edw. 1974,51.428; Idaux. J. P.J. Chem. Educ. 1973,50.739; DeNardis,R. L.; Maslanka, R. J. Chem. Educ.1973, 50, 336. 2Newman,M. S. J. Chem. Educ. 1978, 55, A78; @I, J. F.; Ausm, M. J. Chem. Educ 1976, 53, 118.
Bernard Rapp, FSC Lewis University Rorneoville. IL 60441
338
Journal of Chemical Education
