Zeolite Structure

Natural Zeolites are a unique group of minerals. The name comes from the Greek “zein” and “lithos” meaning boiling stone, as they tend to froth and give up water when heated. The zeolite structure occur in rocks of diverse age, type and geological origin, home to over 45 distinct species of natural zeolite.

They are generally formed from the alteration of volcanic ash. Their physical structure is arranged to form a honeycomb framework of consistent diameter interconnecting channels. the diameter of these open channels is what differentiates each species of natural zeolites and is what gives rise to their unique properties.

They range from microscopic to some very large crystals. They are crystalline hydrated aluminium silicate structures, containing positively charged metallic ions called cations.

Zeolites have very open crystal frameworks, containing networks of channels and pores which lead into sizeable central cavities. Some of the silicon in those structures is replaced by aluminium, giving them a negative charge. This is balanced by the presence of cations such as sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, strontonium or barium, which are loosely held within these central cavaties, surrounded by water molecules. Although chemical compositions are similar, each species has its own crystal structure, thus setting them apart.

In the past 40 years, scientists have produced another 150 Zeolite species synthectically. Zeolites are widely used in various industries becasue of their ability to exchange cations and adsorb liquids or gasses. Adsorb refers to “getting stuck on the surface” rather than absorb refers to “being taken in and disappears as a consequence”.

Zeolite Australia and world wide is more or less selective for certain elements eg. zeolite used as a water softener will readily exchange its sodium cations for the calcium and magnesium found in hard water.

Dehydrated Zeolite will readily adsorb moisture or large quantities of gases and can act as catalysts in many types of reactions, important to the petrochemical industry. Also improtant to the products sold by Mitey Fresh to adsorb moisture and odours in your wardrobes, rooms and refrigerators, providing a healthier environment.

They are also used as molecular sieves, depending on the size of their internal structure. They can exclude or adsorb different molecules, depending again on the selectivity of the particular zeolite.

The following list illustrates some of the many uses of Zeolites:

Animal nutrition – improve fed conversion and reduce toxic effects of nitrogen in the feed known as urea.

Animal health – improve the well being of pigs and chickens, reduce odour in intensive livestock industries.

Agricultural chemicals or feed – anti caking and desiccant use.

Horticultural – improve the cation exchange of sandy soils; saves nitrogen fertilisers by reducing nitrification activities of bacteria; helps to retain ammonia in composting of organic material; are used as a trap fro heavy metals in sewerage sludge, aid to moisture control in hydroponics.

Aquaculture – remove ammonia from fish and crustacean ponds.

Household – water softeners, pet litter, odour adorbents for regrigeratin, added to powder detergents to replace phosphates as water softeners.

Pollution control – ammonia removal from effluent and treated sewage, heavy metal removal from mining wastes, adsorbent for oil and grease spills.

Chemical industry – gas seperatin and purification, as a catalyst in petroleum and petrochemcial industries, drying of gases and organic liquids.

Solar power – as a heat storage medium into solar heating and cooling.

Food industry – as a filter aid to purifying and clarifying liquids eg wines, sugar solutions.

Improve indoor air quality standards with dehumidifiers for sale Australia wide and dehumidifier hire Sydney wide. Further mould removal and allergy relief, stop and mould prevention in cupboards and wardrobes with Dampp Chaser storage dehumidifiers and natural damp rid products.

Zeolite structure is important in:

- ion exchange – the ability to exchange internal cations for other cations on a basis of ion selectivity determined by ion and channel diameter.

- water adsorption or desorption – the ability to reversibly adsorb or desorb water without chemical or physical change in the zeolite structure.

- gas adsorption – the ability to selectively adsorb specific gas molecules without any effect upon the zeolite structure.

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