Natural Zeolite Clinoptilolite

Zeolites are hydrated alumino-silicate minerals containing aluminium, silicon and oxygen in their regular framework. They form in nature as a result of a chemical reaction between volcanic lava and saline water.  Zeolites act as molecular sieves, or filtering agents, that attract and trap positively charged atoms, ions and compounds, and can therefore remove them from a system. There are more than 50 natural and 150 synthetic types of zeolites. Natural clinoptilolite is the most widely used type due to its high absorption rate, cation exchange, catalysis and dehydration capacities. It can be utilised as a chemical sieve, feed and food additive, soil conditioner as well as liquid, gas and odour absorber. Suitability for such applications is due to its large amount of pore spaces, a high resistance to extreme temperatures, and chemically neutral basic structure.