Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates of alkaline and alkaline-earth metals. They have infinite three-dimensional network structure. Their main characteristics are the ability to lose and gain water and to exchange some of their elements without structure changes. Natural zeolites were first discovered in 1756 by the Swedish mineralogist Freiherr Axel Frederick Cronstedt. Since then, approximately 50 natural zeolites species were recognized and over 100 species have been synthesized in the laboratory.
1. CHEMICAL STRUCTURE The primary building units are [SiO2] and [Al2O3] tetrahedral linked together by oxygen atoms. Some of the tetravalent silicon ions (Si4+) are replaced by trivalent aluminum ions (Al3+), causing a deficiency of positive charges. This charge is balanced by the presence of elements like sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca2+), potassium (K+). The empirical zeolite formula is: M2/nO Al2O3 x SiO2 y H2O ; M = Alkaline or alkaline-earth element. n = The Valence of the cation. x = Varies from 2 to 10. y = Varies from 2 to 7.
The empirical clinoptilolite formula is: (Na,K)2 O Al2O3 10 SiO2 6 H2O ou (Na4K4) (Al8Si40)O96 24 H2O ; (Na4K4) Interchangeable cations. (Al8Si40)O96 Structural cations. H2O Water molecules.
1 Indstrias Celta Brasil Rua ris Meimberg, 200. CEP 06705-150. Cotia SP Fone: +55 (11) 4615-7788 Fax: +55 (11)4615-7788 Site: www.celtabrasil.com.br
SiO2 74,01 %
Al2O3 11,56 %
CaO 5,10 %
Na2O 2,45 %
Fe2O3 2,62 %
FeO 0,81 %
K2O 1,89 %
TiO2 0,44 %
Other <1 %
Approximate values. Metals like chrome, lead, cadmium, selenium, bromine, mercury, arsenic and nickel; they are not detected in zeolite structure. 3. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS Melting point Apparent density pH Surface area Cation Exchange capacity Color 1.300 C 0,98 g/L 7,6 40 m2/g 1,57 Light green 325 mesh < 0,8 mm Granulometry 0,4 a 1,0 mm 1,0 a 3,0 mm 2,0 a 4,0 mm 3,0 a 8,0 mm
2 Indstrias Celta Brasil Rua ris Meimberg, 200. CEP 06705-150. Cotia SP Fone: +55 (11) 4615-7788 Fax: +55 (11)4615-7788 Site: www.celtabrasil.com.br
3 Indstrias Celta Brasil Rua ris Meimberg, 200. CEP 06705-150. Cotia SP Fone: +55 (11) 4615-7788 Fax: +55 (11)4615-7788 Site: www.celtabrasil.com.br