Zeolite Fundamentals

In simple terms zeolite is a name given to rocks of similar crystaline and chemical structure, being anhydrous alumino silicates, and often possess the ability to interact with other materials to the benefit of man. Literally "zeolite" means boiling stones [Greek zein = to boil and lithos = stone] due to its anhydrous nature.

Zeolites are inorganic silicate polymer crystals. In the scientific world inorganic simply means not carbon based. Silicate means that the structure contains silica and oxygen atoms and polymer being a long molecule with repeated sections.

This particular zeolite contains aluminium and water thus giving it he name of an anhydrous alumino silicate.

Natural Zeolites

Natural zeolites, distinct from synthetic ones, were the first ion exchangers ever used. In simple chemistry terms an ion is an atom that has either too many or too few negatively charged electrons. There are negative (-) ions,which are atoms carrying an extra electron, and positive (+) ions, which are ones that seek an electron. A molecule is a structured group of atoms.

Natural zeolites were formed millions of years ago from volcanic explosions and mined as rocks. Synthetic zeolites are manufactured to strict specifications for particular uses.

Natural zeolites , that is those found naturally in the earth, tend to exist all over the world in discrete pockets. There have been commonly recognised to be 63 natural zeolites discovered so far although only 6 of these are available in large quantities. One of these six is Clinoptilolite and it is this type of natural zeolite that we market.

Because it is found naturally the purity of the zeolite varies and although can be relatively stable across a particular bed they can vary considerably from location to location. Our particular resource is associated with some other minerals that make it very hard, as an example.

A particular natural zeolite can have varying physical properties depending upon where it is found and what else it is associated with. Taking Clinoptilolite as a useful example. This natural zeolite is by far the most widely available and used, not least for its water filtration and ammonia removal ability.

Natural ammonia in water is a huge issue in both drinking water and bathing water. Most Clinoptilolite resources are soft producing a particulate product which is dusty and crumbles easily. Very few are hard enough to make excellent filter media.