What are zeolites?
zeolites are artificial and naturally occurring minerals that have a number of pores, making them perfect material for absorption. As an alinosilicate, zeolites are made of a combination of aluminum, oxygen and silicon. The pores in minerals are microscopic, making them the main candidates for the absorption of small molecules of hazardous substances or liquids. There are at least 40 natural examples of minerals around the world, with more than 100 artificial versions synthesized in laboratories. Most often it is seen under the ocean in the marine environment with extinct volcanic activity from at least thousands years ago. Mines around the world use blasting and strengthening techniques to extract ore. However, ore is generally contaminated by other elements such as metals and crystals. This means that natural zeolites must be isolated through intensity the process of crushing and forming into the pellets.
Most zeolites are mined in Asia, AustrÁlii and Europe; However, about one percent of the world offer comes from the Western United States. This created the need for artificial production. Unfortunately, the process of creating minerals is slow due to the need to crystallize gels made of silicon and aluminum with oxygen. A number of functions, including temperature and pH, must be completely accurate to create the material. However, artificial zeolites, unlike their natural counterparts, have the advantage that they are completely clean after creation.
A number of different industries use minerals to filter and absorb undesirable substances. One of the most important uses is the nuclear industry, which uses minerals to process the issued nuclear material by absorbing rogue ions. Laundry detergent is the most largest user of zeolites, which represents more than a quarter of all mined or produced materials. The medical field uses minerals in various capacities for filtration and last to quickly clot wounds with QuikClot ™, used by soldiers in the US Army. ImproveOccailed zeolites are also found in filter systems for aquariums and cat litters, which provides a great way to maintain pH and absorb waste.
natural zeolites were identified in 1756 by the Swedish mineralogy Axel Cresthedt. He noticed that when the material was heated, steam was made of water that was previously absorbed. Cresthedt named the mineral after the Greek words for the "boiled stone".