Zeolite

Hydrous Alumino Silicate

About Zeolite

ABOUT ZEOLITE

Zeolite means “Boiling Stone.” It was formed millions of years ago as a result of volcanic eruptions, where ash and lava reacted chemically with lake or seawater.

It is a mineral that was formed millions of years ago when volcanic eruptions released ash and lava, which then underwent a chemical reaction with lake or seawater.

Boiling Stone: What is Zeolite?

Zeolites, one of the key raw materials in recent years, are chemically known as “hydrated aluminosilicates.”

The structure of zeolites contains voids, giving them a honeycomb or cage-like appearance. Typically, cations of alkali and alkaline earth metals, along with water, are found in the molecular structure of zeolites within these voids.

The honeycomb or cage-like structure of zeolites has channel or pore sizes ranging from 2 to 12 angstroms. Since cations are weakly bound to zeolites, they can easily exchange ions, making zeolites highly effective ion exchangers. Additionally, the water molecules inside the pores can be easily removed by heating or reabsorbed into the zeolitic structure.

Natural zeolites refer to a group of over 40 minerals. The most well-known among them include analcime, chabazite, clinoptilolite, erionite, ferrierite, heulandite, mordenite, stilbite, philipsite, laumontite, natrolite, faujasite, synthetic zeolite, and synthetic zeolite X.

There are also synthetic zeolites. Pure and well-structured synthetic zeolites were first synthesized in 1938, and their production began in 1948. These are not equivalent to natural zeolites, and there are over 200 types. These zeolites are primarily used in the detergent and chemical industries; however, they are not currently produced in Turkey.

Zeolite Usage Areas

Since the 1980s, with increasing interest in zeolites in our country, their use has expanded across various industries. Globally, 18% of zeolite consumption consists of natural zeolites, while 82% consists of synthetic zeolites, with Clinoptilolite and Chabazite being the most commonly used types.

Before discussing the use of zeolites in other industries, it is essential to highlight their extensive application in the livestock and agriculture sectors. The primary physical and chemical properties of zeolites include:

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Ability to perform ion exchange,
  • Adsorption and related molecular sieve structure,
  • Silica content,
  • Also, sedimentary zeolites are light colored,
  • Lightness
  • The pore structure of small crystals has led to the use of zeolites in a wide variety of industrial areas.

  • Pollution Control

    Zeolite minerals are used in pollution control due to their ion exchange and adsorption properties. They are even among the natural products favored by pet enthusiasts for use in aquarium filters. Zeolitic tuffs have long been utilized to eliminate unpleasant odors from fertilizers and to increase the pH levels of acidic volcanic soils. In lakes and ponds, natural zeolites, particularly clinoptilolite, are effectively used to clean pollution caused by biological waste. Additionally, natural zeolites are beneficial in live fish transportation and aquaculture environments by providing an oxygen-rich airflow.

    Radioactive Waste Cleanup

    Isotopes such as Sr, Cs, Co, and Ca, which are found in nuclear power plant waste and pose environmental health risks, can be captured using zeolites. This process allows radioactive waste to be removed from wastewater and safely buried with the zeolite, rendering it harmless. Clinoptilolite and mordenite are preferred in this field due to their resistance to acids.


  • Wastewater Treatment

    Nitrogen compounds (especially ammonium) and metal ions (Pb, Cd, Fe, Cu, etc.) present in municipal and industrial wastewater contaminate groundwater and surface water, rendering them unsuitable for both drinking and utility purposes. Additionally, these pollutants have toxic effects on fish and other aquatic fauna, while also inhibiting the growth of algae essential for the ecosystem. Due to their strong adsorption capacity, zeolites can easily capture nitrogen compounds and certain heavy metal cations (such as Pb) from wastewater. In the United States and Japan, many municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants use clinoptilolite for purification.

    Flue Gas Cleaning

    Pollutant gases such as CO₂, SO₂, and other emissions released from petroleum- and coal-burning facilities can be controlled using the adsorption properties of zeolites. Studies have demonstrated that mordenite and clinoptilolite are highly effective in this application.


  • Oil Spill Cleanup

    This emerging field in pollution control utilizes activated zeolite in pellet form, combined with expanded perlite, sodium carbonate, tartaric acid, and a binder containing 20% methylsiloxane. With a specific gravity of 0.5 g/cm³ and an oil adsorption capacity of 0.97 g, this material can float on water for up to 200 hours, effectively adsorbing oil from the surface.

    Oxygen Production

    One of the critical issues of our time, water and air pollution, contributes to the depletion of oxygen essential for life. Oxygen deficiency in rivers and lakes leads to the extinction of aquatic plants and fish, while low oxygen levels in enclosed spaces pose health risks to humans. In such cases, zeolites’ selective nitrogen adsorption properties can be utilized to supply oxygen-enriched air to these environments. While synthetic zeolites are commonly used in oxygen production, certain natural zeolites, particularly mordenite, clinoptilolite, and chabazite, have also been identified as potential alternatives.


  • Landfill Sites

    One of the most critical aspects of sanitary landfill sites is the stability of the ground and its reinforcement. The liner material used in these sites must have a non-permeable structure to ensure durability. Traditionally, low-permeability clays are used for this purpose. However, clays can swell and gel over time and may be affected by acidic environments, leading to potential problems. Research has shown that combining bentonite-type clays with clinoptilolite-type zeolites improves ground stability and allows for the use of thinner liner materials. Additionally, zeolites serve as a filtration medium by trapping harmful ions from leachate, further enhancing the effectiveness of landfill sites.

    Energy

    As global energy demand continues to rise, accessible, high-quality coal reserves are diminishing. This has led to the necessity of utilizing deep coal deposits or sulfur-rich coal seams. In such cases, underground coal gasification is employed to convert coal into electricity. Zeolites can be used in this process to produce the required oxygen for combustion and to remove harmful gases such as sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides, and explosive hydrocarbons. However, the use of zeolites in this field is not yet widespread.


  • Agriculture

    Due to their high ion exchange and water retention properties, natural zeolites are widely used in preparing soil for agriculture, particularly in clay-deficient soils. Additionally, clinoptilolite is used as a carrier in fertilizer production due to its high ammonium selectivity. This allows plants to absorb ammonium more efficiently, leading to better fertilizer utilization and cost savings. Clinoptilolite also prevents caking and hardening in fertilizers by adsorbing excess moisture during storage. Moreover, it has been found to reduce fungal diseases caused by excessive irrigation.

    Animal Husbandry – Technological Feed Additive

    Studies have shown that poultry and ruminant animals whose feed is supplemented with zeolites gain more weight without experiencing any health issues compared to those fed with regular feed. The primary zeolites used in this field are clinoptilolite and mordenite.


  • Animal Bedding

    Natural zeolites help eliminate the foul odor of manure, control moisture content, and separate methane gas from other gases produced during anaerobic decomposition of manure. By controlling odor and moisture levels, they create healthier conditions in animal shelters. Manures treated with clinoptilolite, particularly chicken manure, become usable in a much shorter time and have a richer content.

    Paper Industry

    Zeolite ores with high brightness are increasingly used as fillers in the paper industry. Paper with clinoptilolite added is more robust, can be cut more easily, and spreads ink less than paper with regular clay additives. When clinoptilolite is ground to 10 microns, it has an abrasion index of less than 3% and a brightness of around 80. A mixture containing 28% zeolite powder can produce paper that is much lighter than traditional paper.


  • Construction Industry

    Zeolitic tuff beds are used as pozzolanic raw materials in many countries. Zeolite pozzolans are crucial in hydraulic cements, where the final concrete product is always exposed to underground water corrosion. The use of zeolites in pozzolanic cement production for subaqueous structures helps neutralize the lime released during the hardening process of concrete due to their high silica content.

    Healthcare Industry

    Natural zeolites are used in various forms within the healthcare industry, with one of the most significant applications being the use of clinoptilolite as a polishing additive in fluoride toothpaste. Clinoptilolite is used in Cuba as a medication for treating ulcers and diarrhea, with patents obtained for this use. Additionally, it is used as a powder to prevent infection in animals with cuts or wounds.


  • Detergent Industry

    Due to environmental pollution, the use of phosphates in detergents is restricted in some countries. As a result, synthetic zeolite phosphates are used as substitutes in detergent formulations. In recent years, there have been ongoing studies on the use of natural zeolites in this field as well.

    Mineral Exploration

    Zeolites formed as a result of volcanic material hydrolysis can explain the formation of ore deposits and can also be used in exploration. In Japan, it has been determined that uranium ore formations in tuff sandstone are dependent on clinoptilolite-heulandite levels. In Turkey, the relationship between zeolitic tuffs and borate formations is noteworthy.


  • Metallurgy

    Wastewater generated from mining and metallurgical activities, which contains heavy metal cations harmful to environmental health, can be treated using the cation-exchange properties of natural zeolites. Additionally, in the pyrometallurgical industry, a mixture of CaCO3 and natural zeolite can eliminate up to 90% of harmful fumes produced during the melting of Cu-Pb alloys.

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Physicochemical Properties

  • Form
  • Şekil
  • Renk
  • Granular and powdery
  • Angular
  • Green / White

Physicochemical Analyses

SiO₂
70.77%
Al₂O₃
13.62%
CaO
5.08%
K₂O
3.83%
Fe₂O₃
3.78%
MgO
3.12%
Na₂O
0.49%
TiO₂
0.92%

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