Introduction
Most of us know zeolites as the magical health supplement that gets rids of toxins inside our body, cleans out gut and helps get rid of sickness-causing heavy metal ions. But that is just the tip of the iceberg; zeolites have a large number of commercial and personal applications, applications that most of the general public are usually unaware of. But before we discuss that, we need to know about the two major types of zeolites available: natural zeolites and synthetic zeolites.
Natural Zeolites
Natural zeolites occur in nature and are obtained by different kinds of mining processes. They occur as natural ores that are further purified and processed in order to be put to consumer use. Zeolites occurring in nature are formed as a result of volcanic ash mixing with salts present in seawater and processing for over a long time. These ores are obtained from their deposit locations, then crushed into small pieces. The crushed material is screened to separate pure zeolite particles and impurities, after which they are dried, processed, packaged and shipped.
Natural zeolites are usually the ones that are preferred for human consumption. All the zeolite powder whose medical benefits you hear online are from naturally procured zeolites. Because they are untouched by chemical processing and mixing, they are the ones that are deemed safe for consumption.
Synthetic Zeolites
Synthetic zeolites are the ones that are manufactured in laboratories. Because zeolites have a highly modifiable structure that is easy to process and design, synthetic zeolites are mass-produced for commercial and industrial use. Unlike natural zeolites whose structures remain as obtained, synthetic zeolites can be tailor-made for different kinds of needs. Synthetic zeolites are processed from the crystallization of silica and alumina gels with different components such as alkalis and organic mixes thrown in to variate their chemical properties.
Synthetic zeolites are used in specific industrial applications that require specialized properties of zeolites, something that natural zeolites cannot comprehend. They can be mass-produced for widespread applications in commercial settings where there is a demand for quantity over quality.
Use of Zeolites
Natural zeolites are mostly used for health supplements, although they are also used for industrial applications in lesser quantities. Natural zeolites are of 40 types, each with slightly different chemical structures but offering the same level of benefits such as being an anti-toxin and body cleanser.
Synthetic zeolites, on the other hand, are generally used as:
- Catalysts in petrochemical industries. Zeolites offer many special chemical properties that help in refining and processing of petrochemical materials without any side reactions.
- Waste reprocessor for disposing of nuclear waste. Their special ion-capturing structure allows them to capture reactive ions from nuclear waste and lock them down to prevent any abnormal reactions.
- Adsorption agents for solar thermal collectors that lends incredible stability in the face of excessive heat.
- Detergent for laundry due to their structures being able to pull in sticky dirt in clothes.
- Construction material components for asphalt roads and cement mixes, in small quantities as they help generate workable but strong cement and asphalt mixes.
Comments
Post a Comment