Zeolites are hydrated alumosilicates characterized by high surface areas and high cation exchange capacities.
Zeolite deposits were formed millions of years ago, when volcanoes erupted enormous amounts of ash–alumosilicates of alkaline and alkaline earths. Some of the wind borne ash settled to form thick ash beds. In some cases the ash fell into lakes. In another case water percolated through the ash beds. In both cases, the chemical reaction of volcanic ash and salt water resulted in the formation of natural zeolites.
The characteristic of a zeolite deposit was decided in it’s genesis. Small natural differences such as temperature, geographic location and ash/water properties result in a slightly different composition. Therefore some unique properties were given to a few of the deposits. These small differences present during the formation of a zeolite deposit is the reason that each natural zeolite property has distinctly unique properties.
The alumina and silica in the ash stack form into a stable, open and three dimensional honey-comb structure. There are over forty different kinds of natural zeolite structures. For example, clinoptilolite has a 8/1 silica to alumina ratio.
Zeolite is an amazing crystalline mineral capable of adsorbing and absorbing many different types of gases, moisture, petrochemicals, heavy metals, low-level radioactive elements and a multitude of various solutions. The channels in the zeolite provide large surface areas on which chemical reactions can take place. The cavities and channels within the crystal can occupy up to 50% of its volume. Zeolites can adsorb or absorb large amounts of materials, such as ions or gas molecules.
Zeolite has a wide range of applications:Water Treatment
Water filtrationHeavy metal removalSwimming pools
Waste-water Treatment
Ammonia in municipal sludgeHeavy metal removalSeptic leach fields
Agriculture
Odor controlConfined animal environmental controlLivestock feed additives
Horticulture
Nurseries, GreenhousesFloricultureVegetables/herbsFoliageTree and shrub transplantingTurf grass soil amendmentReclamation, re-vegetation, landscapingSilviculture (forestry, tree plantations)Medium for hydroponic growing
Household Products
Household odor controlPet odor control
Industrial Products
Absorbents for oil and spillsGas separations
Radioactive Waste
Site remediation/decontamination
Aquaculture
Ammonia filtration in fish hatcheriesBio-filter media
Animal Feed Additive:Clinoptilolite application on the daily diet of the animals reduces digestion system illnesses. Clinoptilolite addition to the feed formulation has a positive effect on the growing up of the animals.Fertilizer Additive / Soil Conditioner: Clinoptilolites are slow release fertilisers. Plant nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium are held by the negatively charged clinoptilolite structure and released on demand.Waste Water Treatment Media: Zeolites contribute to a cleaner, safer environment in a great number of ways. In fact nearly every application of zeolites has been driven by environmental concerns or plays a significant role in reducing toxic waste.Cat Litter: Zeolite has a molecular sponge with high porosity and lock-up capabilityto absorb free ammonia and other cat odors.Pool Filtration Media: Zeolite offers superior performance for sand and carbon filters, giving purer water and higher output rates with less maintenance required. Zeolite’s highly porous structure captures particulate contamination down to 4 microns in size.Aqua-cultural Uses: Zeolites can reduce ammonium and hydrogen sulphide levels in fish/prawn ponds, resulting in increased fish/prawn growth rates and population densities.Aquarium Filtration Media: Zeolite is an efficient ammonia remover and also provides a large surface area for nitrifying bacteria in recirculating systems. Zeolite does not only provide optical clearness of your water but also keeps it biologically clean.Radioactive Waste Treatment: Natural zeolite has a high ion exchange capacity and a particular affinity for heavy metal cations. It can absorb elements such as strontium 90, caesium 137 and other radioactive isotopes from solutions and hold them in its 3 dimensional crystal framework.Fillers: Zeolites are used as fillers in the manufacture of papers. These filler grades of zeolite have a large potential for utilization in paint and plastics industries.Gas Purification and Separation: Zeolites act as molecular sieves. They are used to purify or sweeten natural gases through the removal of impurities such as carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and water. In addition to upgrading natural gas, zeolites are used to separate oxygen and nitrogen in pressure swing adsorption columns.Lightweight Construction Materials: Natural zeolite can be used to prepare lightweight concrete for construction. It’s porous silicate structure makes it much lighter than sand with an increased volume per tonne but with similar hardness and strength. Zeolite is free from clay which reduces the overall strength of concrete and it’s porous structure holds moisture which facilitates a more rapid curing of concrete.Please ask for our product catalog.
