• What is Zeolite mineral?

Zeolite is a mineral that is mainly composed of amino silicates. Zeolites in the form of crystal lattices consist of oxygen and aluminum or silica, which are in three-dimensional structure.

Zeolites are a solid, crystalline mineral with fine pores. The bond of water molecules in the network of these minerals is weak and due to temperature, the structure of the mineral network loses its water without collapsing.

Physical and chemical properties of zeolites are related to their chemical composition and crystal structure. In other words, their properties depend on the chemical and physical nature of the water in the zeolite structure and how the water is placed within the molecular networks of the zeolite. The presence of alkaline and alkaline earth metals and voids and numerous and related minerals in zeolites causes a variety of properties of this mineral.

• Zeolite classification:

Zeolites fall into two main categories: natural zeolites and synthetic or industrial zeolites.

General properties of zeolites are:

• High dehydration rate

• Stability of the crystal structure during dewatering

• Ion exchange ability

• Existence of uniform molecular channels in cation-exchange dehydrated crystals

• Molecular sieve

• Absorption and disposal of various substances

• Selective adsorption based on acidity

• Selective adsorption based on the particle size of each material

Zeolites, in addition to differences in crystal structure, have other major differences that cause very different and special properties in zeolites. This parameter is the Si / Al ratio. This ratio is perhaps the most important parameter of zeolites. Si / Al variations in different zeolites vary between 1 and... Zeolites with different Si / Al ratios have many different properties. Zeolites are divided into four categories based on the Si / Al ratio:

• Zeolite with low Si / Al ratio (1-1.5)

• Medium Si / Al Zeolite (2-5)

• Zeolite with high Si / Al ratio (10-100)

Zeolites with a high Si / Al ratio (above 100), which are called silicate zeolites or silica zeolites.

Various zeolites are known all over the world. Clinoptilolite, mordenite, phillipsite, chabazite, analsim, and lomontite are common forms of zeolite, while afritite, palingite, barite, and mazite are very rare. Clinoptilolite is the most abundant type of zeolite that is found naturally and has the most application.

• Uses of zeolite:

Zeolites have many uses in industry.

• Application of zeolite in environmental industries:

1- Absorption of heavy toxic elements from soil and other contaminated materials

2- As an absorber and water retainer as a water storage

3- Health and environmental uses

4- Absorption of moisture of toxic metals, harmful gases (nitrogen and sulfur, etc.) and undesirable compounds from water

5- Absorption of industrial oils and organic materials to clean the factory environment

6- A suitable alternative to kaolin and limestone in the paper industry

7- Used in detergents and the best alternative for T.P.P.

8- As an absorber of oil pollution in the sea

9- Water and wastewater treatment

10- Removing ammonia in the sludge

 

 

• Application of zeolite in aquaculture industry:

1. Eliminate toxic gases such as nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide in water 2- Prevent sudden changes in water pH

3- Physical and chemical purification of water naturally

4- Reducing water salinity

• Application of zeolite in agricultural industries:

1- Production of intelligent agricultural fertilizer

2- Increasing cation exchanges and soil fertility

3- Control of soil odor and ammonia

4- Animal feed additives

5- High savings in water consumption and water storage in low rainfall areas

6- Reducing water salinity

7- Absorption of toxic metals in water and soil such as arsenic, cadmium, zinc, copper, lead, etc.

8- Absorption of moisture in the air and soil and its gradual release into the soil.

9- Preventing soil depletion of raw materials due to high ion exchange properties and soil remodeling

10- Improving and controlling soil moisture as a result of a positive effect on soil microflora.

• Application of zeolite in other different industries:

1- Drying and purification of air, liquids and natural gases

2- Application in recycling and treatment of nuclear waste

3- Separation of sulfur, excess carbon, nitrous oxide, purification of excess capacity of chlorine and various acidic substances and amino acids

4- Moisture absorption of gases even at a temperature equivalent to minus 40 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit

5- Drying of mineral and industrial oils

6- Purification and purification of industrial and radioactive wastewaters

7- As a chemical crystal filter for purification and purification of drinking water, hardening and adsorption of heavy toxic metal elements

8- Using water filters instead of physical filters. Application in the paper industry as a filler and as an alternative to kaolin and calcium carbonate

9- Production of pozzolan cement

10- As a hard water softener in synthetic detergents

11- as selective catalysts (as a molecular sieve)

12- Heterogeneous catalysts with special properties