A process for reclaiming spent selenium filter mass containing an inert
material. The spent mass is treated with a hydrogen peroxide solution for
leaching out selenium content from unspent active substance present in
the filter mass to form selenious acid. The filter mass is treated with
aqua regia solution to dissolve mercury selenide present in the mass. The
aqua regia solution is separated from the mass and isolated. Suitably,
the filter mass, which now contains inert carrier material, is
transferred with the isolated selenious acid, to production of new
selenium filter mass. After partial neutralization of the aqua regia
solution, mercury is precipitated out for disposal. Before this,
elemental selenium can be separated from the aqua regia solution by
adjusting the pH level and used advantageously for production of new
filter mass. Thusly, reclaimed selenium content and inert carrier
material can be advantageously used for production of new selenium
filters.