Natural Zeolites are microporous, aluminosilicate minerals that occur naturally. Zeolite means “boiling stone”.

Natural zeolites form through a fascinating process, where volcanic rocks and ash layers react with alkaline water. They also crystallize in post-depositional environments over periods ranging from thousands to millions of years in shallow marine basins. Over 42 naturally occurring zeolite frameworks are known.

Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicate minerals made from interlinked tetrahedra of alumina (AlO4) and silica (SiO4). They’re solids with a relatively open, three-dimensional crystal structure built from aluminum, oxygen, and silicon, with alkali or alkaline-Earth metals (such as potassium, calcium, and sodium) plus water molecules trapped in the gaps between them. Zeolites form with many different crystalline structures, which have large open pores (sometimes called cavities) in a very regular arrangement and are roughly the same size as small molecules.

Zeolites have a porous structure that can accommodate various cations, such as K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and others. These positive ions are rather loosely held and can readily be exchanged for others in a contact solution. Some of the more common mineral zeolites are analcime, chabazite, clinoptilolite, heulandite, natrolite, phillipsite, and stilbite. These cation-exchanged zeolites possess different acidities and catalyze several acid-catalysis reactions.

The term molecular sieve refers to a particular property of these materials, i.e., the ability to sort molecules based primarily on a size exclusion process selectively. 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 dimensions of the channels. These are conventionally defined by the ring size of the aperture, where, for example, the term “8-ring” refers to a closed loop built from eight tetrahedrally coordinated silicon (or aluminum) atoms and eight oxygen atoms.

Zeolites transform into other minerals under weathering, hydrothermal alteration, or metamorphic conditions.

Conventional open-pit mining techniques are used to mine natural zeolites. The overburden is removed to allow access to the ore. The ore may be blasted or stripped for processing using tractors equipped with ripper blades and front-end loaders. In processing, the ore is crushed, dried, and milled. The milled ore may be air-classified as to particle size and shipped in bags or bulk. The crushed product may be screened to remove fine material when a granular product is required, and some pelletized products are produced from fine material.

As of 2016, the world’s annual production of natural zeolite, a diverse and widespread industry, approximates 3 million tonnes. Major producers in 2010 included China (2 million tonnes), South Korea (210,000 t), Japan (150,000 t), Jordan (140,000 t), Turkey (100,000 t), Slovakia (85,000 t) and the United States (59,000 t).

Clinoptilolite is the most used and most commercial type in the industrial area. More than 50 synthetics have been produced.

Clinoptilolite in the Manisa / Gördes region has a purity rate of 80% – 95%. The world ranks one of the best in quality and reserve ranking.

Clinoptilolite formed in Manisa Gördes as a result of the eruption of a volcano in the Kütahya region about 15 million years ago. It entered the zeolization process by falling into the area, which was a bare lake.

Clinoptilolite’s unique cage-like  structure, which creates a large inner and outer surface area, is the key to its versatility. With 50% of its volume covered by pores that function as molecular sieves, it is naturally negatively charged and has a high ion exchange capacity. This, combined with its porous structure,  enables it to absorb a wide range of substances, from gases and odors to petrochemicals, low levels of radioactive elements, ammonium, toxins, and heavy metals. Its environmentally friendly nature and low cost make it a valuable resource in many industrial and environmental projects.

• Agriculture – soil conditioner, water absorber, aerator, slow-release fertilizer production, shade powder
• Landscape and garden arrangement
• Livestock – feed additive, toxin, and pellet binder, animal litter
• Treatment – mechanical and chemical filtering
• Pool and spa filter material
• Aquarium material
• Cat litter
• Construction industry – cement, asphalt, construction chemicals, lightweight concrete,
• Cleaning equipment
• Textile sector
• Transport and storage of vegetables and fruits
• Paper industry
• Energy
• Health – toxin binder, powder
• Aquaculture
• It is also used as a catalyst in chemistry.
• Aquarium filtration
• Cosmetic

FEATURES OF CLINOPTILOLITE

It has a K-aluminosilicate structure. It has macro and micro gaps (channels) that no other aluminosilicate structure has. The aluminosilicate structure does not melt, and the pH is stable between 1.5 and 11.5.

• Water retention
• Fat retention
• Gas retention
• Heat retention
• pH
• High Cation Exchange Capacity

* Irreversible binding of mycotoxin and aflatoxin

• Irreversible binding of heavy metals

Characteristics of Natural Zeolites

Absorption

A large number of cavities and channels in the zeolite crystals give zeolite an enormous specific surface area and can form an electrostatic attraction with a unique crystal structure. Zeolite generates a considerable stress field and substantial absorption property.

Catalytic

The catalytic property of zeolite is shown when some reaction substance is on the cavity surface of zeolite crystals; the reaction rate will accelerate, and the new substance formed by the reaction can be released and diffused from the zeolite inside while ensuring the zeolite crystallized structure not destroyed. Thus, zeolite has the catalytic property.

Molecular Sieve

The channels and cavities in the zeolite have precise and constant diameters under physical and chemical conditions, which can adsorb this substance with smaller diameters and exclude those with larger diameters, allowing it to screen molecules.

Acid & Alkali Resistance

Zeolite can react with a strong acid for two hours below 100℃ without destroying its crystal structure, and it is stable in “aqua regia”.

Ion Exchange

The positive ions, like K +, N a +, Ca2 +, etc., in zeolite are not very closely and tightly combined with the crystallized structure, and it has the property of reversible exchange with other positive ions in an aqueous solution. Therefore, it is much easier to make an exchange interaction with positive ions around.

Why Esen’s Zeolite?

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