On Mon, 16 Jun 2008, Alan B. Pearce wrote:
> But I suspect the OP is attempting to distinguish what he wants from other 
> compounds of mercury that come in powder form (I think mercury fulminate is 
> one, but it is a component of some explosives IIRC). 

You are correct.  I should have said "elemental" mercury I suppose. :-)

Trying to clean the scum off dirty mercury is 'fun' too.  Distilling it is 
simply insanity outside a fully equipped lab.  Disolving the impurities 
with nitric acid is less insane, but still dangerous.  Best method I can 
see is dripping it slowly through a tiny hole until all the impurities are 
contained in the final drop.

--
Ian Smith
www.ian.org
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