Natural zeolite as a “crystalline, hydrated alumino silicate of alkali and alkaline earth captions having an infinite, open, three dimensional structure. Also, it is able to lose and gain water reversibly and to exchange extra framework captions, both without change of crystal structure. The large structural cavities and the entry channels leading into them contain water molecules, which form hydration spheres around exchangeable captions.”
Zeolite is a magnet which can hold captions, like heavy metal, ammonia, low level radioactive elements, toxins, several odors, petrochemicals, much different type of gases and a multitude of various solutions. It is a highly porous sponge with a large surface area that can absorb water up to 60% of its weight.
Natural Zeolite is “The Magic Mineral” due to its multitude of uses like in pozzolanic cement; as lightweight aggregates; in the drying of acid-gases; in the separation of oxygen from air; in the removal of NH3 from drinking water and municipal wastewater; in the extraction of Cs and Sr from nuclear wastes and the mitigation of radioactive fallout; as soil amendments to improve caption-exchange capacities (CEC) and water sorption capacities; as soilless geoponic substrate for greenhouses and space missions; in the deodorization of animal litter, barns, ash trays, refrigerators, and athletic footwear.
PROPERTIES
The capacity of water absorbing and removal without destroying the molecular structure but only with a change of color. This property is used for example in balancing the level of humidity in a room and eliminates adverse effects of excess moisture or sharp decline of air humidity.
High capacity of gas filtration and absorption of zeolites offers many applications in environmental protection.
Filtering different solid, liquid or gaseous toxic substances hence the name by which is known the zeolite mineral: molecular sieve.
Zeolite can absorb:
- heavy metals
- water micro particles
- toxic ammonia
- sulfide hydrogen
- other substances toxic to the body.
Learn more by reading our Technical Manuals
USES AND BENEFITS
Animal Farms
Reduce or eliminate unpleasant odors (absorbs ammonia, the main source of odor).
Bedding layer for transport of pesticides and herbicides (due to porosity).
Eliminating toxic waste from discharged waters.
Leakage agent (moisture absorption prevent jams of dried food on supply lines).
Controlling moisture in food stores (prevents sticking to wet surfaces, installing molds, larval growth).
Water recycling used for egg cleaning used in poultry farms by absorbing bacteria (including E coli).
Crops
Natural fertilizer.
Nutritional supplement for plants.
Eliminating toxic waste from discharged waters.
Leakage agent (moisture absorbent and prevents jams of solids on production lines.
Contributes with essential chemical elements Si, Fe, Ca, Mg, Na, K , P, Cu, Zn, in the plants metabolism.
The seeds have a higher germination percentage.
Develop strong root system, especially during the shoots.
Control of humidity in storage of seeds or containers used to transport them (prevents sticking to wet surfaces, installation of molds, larval growth).
Manure enrichment.
Neutralizes excessive acidity of soils.
Easily retain water in wet seasons and releasing it slowly during drought by their ion exchange properties, stores active elements (macro and micronutrients : K + , Cu 2 + , Zn 2 + , Mn 2 + , etc.) then slowly releases them into the soil by their adsorption property, it stores various active compounds (insecticides , pesticides, pheromones, etc.) that it releases in time.
Fisheries
Absorb toxic ammonia and sulfide hydrogen.
Improves the health of the aquatic environment.
Absorb heavy metals.
Remove particulates from water.
Slows algae growth and multiplication.
Not toxic to fish or nitrified bacteria.
Balance PH – the value between 6.2 to 6.8.
Construction & Building
Due to its lightweight, Natural Zeolite Mineral has been used as building blocks for thousands of years. It is a popular pozzolanic raw materail for cement. And the benefits are not limited only for cement production but also for concrete, mortar, grout, paint, plaster, asphalt, ceramic, coatings and adhesives and many more.
Natural Zeolite Mineral is a Pozzolanic material. Pozzolanic materials are classified as one of the main constituents of cement according to European Standard EN 197-1.
Pozzolanic materials do not harden in themselves when mixed with water but, when finely ground and in the presence of water, they react at normal ambient temperature with dissolved calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) to form strength-developing calcium silicate and calcium aluminates compounds.
These compounds are similar to those which are formed in the hardening of hydraulic materials. Pozzolanas consist essentially of reactive silicon dioxide (SiO2) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3). The remainder contains iron oxide (Fe2O3) and other oxides. The proportion of reactive calcium oxide for hardening is negligible. The reactive silicon dioxide content shall be not less than 25,0 % by mass.
Zeolite’s pozzolanic properties and high silicon dioxide content increases the performance of cement. Zeolite acts as a stabilizer, increasing viscosity, enabling better handling and stability. It reduces the alkali – silica reaction.
Zeolite strengthens the hardness of concrete in the long term. It prevents crack formation. It is a substitute for ordinary portland cement for the production of sulphate resistant Portland cement. It is a natural anti-corrosion agent. Apart from sulphate and corrosion resistance, zeolite also decreases the chromium level in cement and concrete. It improves chemical resistance in salt water applications and resists underwater corrosion.
By using zeolite, the cement addition can be decreased, without losing the strength. It helps lower the production cost and reduce the CO2 emissions during production.
Natural zeolite is also used in:
Roads and highways – skid for icy road or slippery roads where were spilled liquids (oil stains, gasoline).
Prefabricated Production.
Material for grinding metal surfaces.
Plaster Modeling.
Decorative Stone.
Dye, Coatings and Adhesives
Ecological dyes, coatings and adhesives are becoming more and more popular. Natural zeolite mineral is one of the most preferred additive for these ecological products. Addition of zeolite provides environment friendly products which offer healthier and safer environments.
Thanks to its high cation exchange capacity, natural zeolite easily eliminates bad odors and increases the air quality in the environment. Zeolite has a high affinity for smelly gases.
Zeolite is a natural desiccant. Its highly porous structure enables it to absorb moisture up to 60% by weight. Products with zeolite additive have a high resistance against mold. Zeolite prevents mold and bacteria formation. It increases the quality of the micro environment and air.
Zeolite is used in ceramics, bricks, insulators, in flooring and coating materials due to its highly porous structure and caption exchange capacity. As a catalyst can increase the strength of the end product, where as increasing the flexibility and the elasticity. In can serve as a barrier against heat and sound.
Asphalt
Zeolite is a hydrated alumino-silicate. It has a high porous structure. It can easily hydrate and dehydrate. It is stable at high temperatures. It has several advantages on warm mixed asphalt.
The addition of zeolite decrease the temperature need for asphalt paving.
Asphalts mixed with zeolite show desirable higher stability and higher strength at lower temperatures.
Saves energy by reducing the temperature needed for production.
Reduces CO2 emission during production.
Eleminates odors, vapors and aerosols.
Makes asphalt application easier.
Agriculture / Gardening
Natural Zeolites – Clinoptilolites are characterized as high capillary porous structures and high cation exchange capacities. They are the perfect soil conditioner and fertilizer additive that acts as a reservoir for water and plant nutrients.
Increases water absorption and retention.
Economizes water usage.
Acts as a water reservoir in dry and sandy fields.
Keeps beneficial microorganisms in the soil alive.
Absorbs excess water, and thus prevents root decays and fungal diseases.
Aerates the soil.
Holds and slowly releases ammonia, nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Transforms your regular fertilizer into a slow – and controlled – release fertilizer.
Economizes fertilizer usage.
Reduces fertilizer volatility and prevents loss of fertilizer due to leaching.
Absorbs excess ammonia, and thus prevents root burns.
Cultivates your plants and trees continuously in harmony.
Cleans your soil from toxic materials and metals.
Acts as a pesticide, fungicide, herbicide carrier.
Improving soil quality.
Substrate soil additive for lawns – allows you to adjust the amount of water, filtering harmful substances, use the gradual release of nutrients.
Lawn substrate.
Ecocert certificated product.
Improves the soil quality. Decontaminates the soil.
Excellent hardness. Stable in soil. Economic and effective for many years.
Highly porous structure.
Improves the efficiency of fertilizers. Reduces fertilizer costs.
Easy application, storage and transportation.
Completely safe and toxic-free. There is no risk or danger of over dosage.
100 % natural and environmentally friendly.
Groundwater contamination that otherwise occurs in the absence of zeolite, due to fertilizers and other nutrients that are applied.
Soil erosion due to wind, in sandy soil.
Root burns in salty soils.
Zeolite is the most effective way to supplement root zone CEC and reduce fertilizer usage. Zeolites are slow release fertilizers. Plant nutrients such as nitrogen and potassium are held by the negatively charged clinoptilolite structure and are released on demand.
Zeolites increase nutrient retention; reduce environmental nutrient losses and reduce fertilizer requirements by establishing balanced nutrient supply that can be replenished in the plant root zone.
Zeolite adds a permanent water reservoir, providing prolonged moisture holding power during dry periods and it promotes rapid re-wetting and improved lateral spread of water in the root zone during irrigation.
Zeolite is very porous with an incredibly large surface area. The selectivity of zeolite for ammonium helps buffer the soil and prevents toxicity when excess ammonium is applied. The retention and timely release of needed nutrients by zeolite improves overall crop yield. It provides a lasting reservoir of nutrients allowing the user to reduce fertilizers and have better vegetation.
The basis for Zeolite’s stable inorganic structure is the stacking of one alumina to five silica tetrahedra in a unique symmetrical arrangement. This symmetrical stacking results in an open framework with a void space which retains water. The net negative charge within the voids holds the cations for the cation exchange capacity. The open and negatively charged framework results in Zeolite’s ability to exchange plant nutrients into and out of the stable three dimensional honeycomb framework.
Natural Zeolite regenerates your sandy soil. It adsorbs fertilizers and nutrients in the soil and prevents them from leaching with the irrigation water. After adsorbing fertilizers and nutrients, it enriches and moisturizes your sandy soil.
Natural Zeolite aerates your clayey soil. It prevents sludge formation. Enables the plant roots to access the fertilizers & nutrients easily. It stimulates the micro organismic activities in the soil.
Natural Zeolite Mineral, when mixed with compost materials, improves compost quality and prevents leachate and bad odors.
Cleaning and care
Sand for cat litter.
Absorbent for pets bedding.
Aquariums
Decorative Stone.
Mechanical filtration of impurities.
Filtration, chemical impurities, including the removal of heavy metals from water
Biological filtration – Zeolite stone becomes the support of biological colonies that grow in aquariums.
Reduce algae growth.
Environment protection
Absorption of chemicals in rivers and lakes.
Reducing the negative effects of marine discharges of oil substances.
Reduce Cs137 and Sr 90 isotopes from radioactive mediums – Fukusima disaster involved the use of tens of thousands of tons of zeolite to reduce radioactive contamination of the area including the area of sea water used for cooling reactors. Same happened in Chernobyl.
Absorbs heavy metals from accidental discharges.
Acid absorption from the soil in which they dumped waste including used batteries.
Other uses
Obtaining high quality paper.
Heat storage in solar energy systems.
Colloidal Transport.
Filtering edible oils.