---
title: "SilcoTalk Video: Solving Mercury Adsorption in Gas Analysis"
description: "SilcoTalk Video: Discover how SilcoNert coating enhanced mercury measurement accuracy at Equinor's methanol plant, ensuring consistent readings and reliable performance."
---

[SilcoTek Coating Blog ](https://www.silcotek.com/blog)

# [SilcoTalk Video: Solving Mercury Adsorption in Gas Analysis](https://www.silcotek.com/blog/silcotalk-video-solving-mercury-adsorption-in-gas-analysis)

 Written by [Kayla DeSoto](https://www.silcotek.com/blog/author/kayla-desoto) | July 04 2025

In a new episode of SilcoTalk, SilcoTek’s Clay Smith shares how our coatings helped improve mercury measurement accuracy at Equinor’s Tjeldbergodden methanol plant, the largest in Europe. This real-world application highlights how surface inertness can directly impact analyzer reliability - especially in trace-level mercury detection.

 

 

### The Situation

Equinor began processing gas from the Dvalin field, which contains elevated mercury levels. To protect downstream equipment and meet environmental standards, a new mercury removal unit was installed at the plant. Continuous, accurate measurement was critical to verify performance and detect any breakthrough.

### The Challenge

Mercury is highly reactive with metallic surfaces. When sample transport components - like tubing or cylinders - are made from stainless steel, mercury tends to adsorb to the walls, leading to falsely low readings and delayed detection of removal failures.

This poses a serious problem in gas analysis: If your surfaces aren’t inert, your data won’t reflect reality.

### The Solution: SilcoNert® Coating

To overcome this, [Equinor](https://www.equinor.com/) and their engineering partner, [Wood](https://www.woodplc.com/), turned to SilcoTek. We coated key analytical components with SilcoNert 2000, our chemically inert, silicon-based CVD coating.

Benefits of SilcoNert for mercury analysis:

- Prevents mercury adsorption to stainless steel
- Improves detection limits and stability
- Maintains accurate concentrations over long periods (proven in 50+ day stability tests)
- Supports compliance and minimizes production risk

### The Outcome

With SilcoNert-coated parts, Equinor achieved:

- Consistent mercury readings
- Early detection of removal inefficiencies
- Successful on-time commissioning of their mercury removal system

SilcoTek's fast turnaround also helped meet tight project deadlines during a critical plant shutdown.

 

<https://www.silcotek.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJk0KEi7dVFCIc6OiVJESm%2F2LVrPPDKDXWcGUTcp6rFL%2BZyRLr5CAd76AenKgd7y%2BjzB%2BU%2Bz4eNfKDDiXwI0sgL7P9PE%2F5TgP%2F2M%2BERt2h1l2lQegzsZaJXYSqSziCnObIai%2FgXWjKQrU3ShXWEwRoUNIXGbT%2BaP7OS3LNDCDSVHGxoaw9KSwlY%2Be9ekZC0kOmNP4eOVBNwDCD35WbTThBm1hALgf0px4mIlWQrsCFPfADX5HBpg690mVWFeUorXnJlcxMYE7%2B55p4%2BLR3txqJTpC1SKh7GQgFm30%2Bi1JYuGd7mEmkpArTz%2BT1lSyW%2BRwPBzHn5lrE9JwwcKmNBpgFyORv2nVDo%2BESenc%2BQDRhNxvefkSyz%2F%2B1XjRcWK059&webInteractiveContentId=191977754948&portalId=22765>

### Key Takeaway

For trace mercury analysis, surface inertness matters. SilcoNert provides a proven solution to prevent adsorption losses and improve measurement integrity - helping operators like Equinor make smarter, faster decisions.

 

Check out our other SilcoTalk episodes [HERE](https://www.silcotek.com/resources/videos). 

[View full post](https://www.silcotek.com/blog/silcotalk-video-solving-mercury-adsorption-in-gas-analysis)

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