Zeolites
Zeolites are minerals that have a micro-porous structure. Essential part of this rock is the mineral clinoptilolite, a member of the so-called zeolite group. It is a crystalline hydrated alumosilicate of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. Zeolite is a very unique material. Its structure, also known as a molecular sieve has an ability to capture liquids and gasses within its internal structure. This is due to a very regular pore structure of molecular dimensions. The maximum size of the molecular or ionic species that can enter the pores of a zeolite is controlled by the diameters of the tunnels. These are conventionally defined by the ring size of the aperture.
Main areas of zeolite utilization
Agriculture
(We will suggest most appropriate zeolite type for each application.)
Animal breeding
- Natural mineral feed supplement for industrial and domestic animal breading with dietetic and antibacterial effect for poultry, pigeons, parrots, pigs, rabbits, water birds.
- Drinking water supplement.
- Better appetite and faster weight gains.
- Elimination of diarrhoeas, gas and digestion complications (due to zeolite ability to bind gas)
- Major air quality improvement and lowering air-spread infection (due to zeolite ability to bind ammonia and carbohydrate gas).
- Bacteria absorption leading to lower infection danger.
- Improved stable and nest quality.
- Lowered antibiotics consumption.
- Lowered liquid excrements occurrence.
- Excrement processing — fertilizer production.
Plant production
- Wheat (or other products) drying and storage protection (2% zeolite addition has an insecticide effect) Excrement processing — fertilizer production.
- Herbicide and pesticide carrier.
- Industrial fertilizer carrier, surface treatment of granulated fertilizers.
- Soil fertility and bioactivity improvement.
- Soil water regime improvement (water moderator, whereby zeolite absorbs up to 55% of their weight in water and slowly releases it under plant demand. This can prevent root rot and moderate drought cycles)
- Potassium and nitrogen balance improvement especially in light and sandy soils. Thanks to the slow release of nutrients from zeolite internal structure, it is sufficient to fertilize once in each production season.
- Revitalisation and productivity improvement in acidic and devastated soils.
- Heavy metals (As, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu…) reduction in both soils and plants.
- Improvement of the long term effect of natural and industrial fertilizers, lowering of the wash-up effect.
- Greenhouse and turf substrate production.
- Wine and cider treatment — clearing and purification.
- Fruit and vegetable warehousing.
- Soil support additive.
Industrial use
(We will suggest most appropriate zeolite type for each application.)
- Detergent production.
- Liquid and gas drying (water molecules are trapped in zeolite pores).
- Selective adsorption and separation of liquid and gas mixtures (carbohydrates, CO2, NH3, even Hg vapours).
- Selective trap for atoms and molecules — due to specific porosity of zeolite.
- Catalyst carriers — it is possible to build the catalyst directly into zeolite structure.
- Bioelement carrier.
- Filler for plastics, rubber and paper.
- Ion exchanger (ionex).
- Polishing component for fluoride-based toothpastes — the abrasivity is the same as for usually used CaHPO4, but zeolites do not bind F-ions.
- Additive for wood glues — zeolite neutralizes ammonia gasses and water vapours.
- Building stone.
- Special cements production (puzolar types).
- Cement additive – zeolite increases cement activity, it also improves the microstructure of cement. This results in improved concrete durability, corrosion resistance and decreased permeability.
- Gasification additive in light building materials and insulation material production.
Enviromental use
(We will suggest most appropriate zeolite type for each application.)
- Thickening of water treatment sludge.
- Thickening of saturation sludge.
- Absorption of NH3, SO2, SO3, CO2, H2S, NOx from gas emissions and pollution.
- Potable water treatment and purification.
- Utility water treatment and purification.
- Ammonia removal from industrial, urban and agricultural waste waters.
- Radioactive waste liquidation.
- Heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Cr, Pb, As) adsorption and fixation (from waste waters or other media).
- Household, industrial and agricultural deodorants.
- Polyphosphate replacement in detergents and cleaning agents.
- Antibacterial filters for polluted water and air (zeolites treated with Ag, Ni).
- Oil and petroleum based substances sorption.