The system was equipped with a 3-way valve that allowed bypass (BP) and adsorbent-bed (AB) streams. The stainless steel
cell (Thermo Scientific), of 4.6 mm inner diameter and 50 mm length, was placed in a vertical tubular furnace equipped with a
temperature controller. The amount of Hgo in the BP and AB streams was determined using a mercury analyzer (JEROME,
Arizona Instrument LLC, USA). The Hgo adsorption capacity of the adsorbents was calculated using a mass balance based on the
initial mercury concentration obtained from the BP stream. Excess Hgo was trapped in an impinger Teflon column, containing a
mixture of activated carbon and elemental sulfur, controlled by using a three-way valve. For safety reasons, the exit line was
connected to a fume hood.