Zeolite is what? Natural and synthetic zeolite. Zeolite: properties, use, benefit and harm

The name of this amazing mineral originated from the Greek zeo - "boil" and lithos - "stone", because when it is lowered into water it bubbles for a long time with air.
Natural zeolite was first described in the 18th century. A light mineral of various shades and densities is of sedimentary-volcanic origin, widely distributed on the planet. Drusy crystals of some species are of interest to collectors of stones.
The French consumer of "Smecta" is well-known to the simple consumer, water with him is prescribed to babies with colic. It is made of synthetic zeolite.

Porous structure

Zeolite is a generalized name for frame aluminosilicates produced in deposits and obtained synthetically. Their crystal structure is represented by tetrahedra of silicon and aluminum oxides, united in lacy frames with the same size cavities filled with cations of alkali and alkaline earth metals and water molecules.
What is valuable and interesting zeolite? The properties of this stone to the absorption and loss of water without the destruction of the crystalline framework and the exchange of cations are used as a catalyst, sorbent, ion exchanger, molecular sieve. It is the porous structure and diverse composition of ions that determine its qualities, making the zeolite irreplaceable for use in the chemical, nuclear, food, agriculture, life and medicine.

Openwork crystals and dirty work

Zeolite is an ion exchanger: it gives ions of potassium and calcium, other micro- and macro elements, and instead takes toxic ions and keeps them in its lattice.

The calcined mineral has an absorbent capacity of up to 50% of the volume. Since the beginning of the XX century, it has found application in petrochemistry for dehydration and cleaning of petroleum products, for grouting in wells.

Is able to actively absorb not only water, but also a variety of chemical and biological pollution: heavy metals, nitrates, pesticides, radionuclides, oils. Used in gas purification plants and effluents of industrial enterprises.

Stop, radiation!

Interest in zeolites increased after the Chernobyl accident. Radioactive isotopes of cesium and strontium for humans are dangerous because they perceive the body as ions of calcium and potassium and accumulate. The liquidators had only alcohol and red wine for protection from inside.

Novosibirsk scientists led by Academician Vasily Ivanovich Bgatov brought to Pripyat a zeolite. It was grinded in a mortar, mixed with water and after the change the liquidators showered. Later, the conclusion was drawn: those participants in the events who did not refuse this "talker", signs of radiation sickness in the form of weakness, changes in the leukocyte formula, tooth decay were manifested to a much lesser extent.

In 1998, the drug "Litovit", created on the basis of this material, was recognized as the best means for removing radioactive cesium and strontium from the body.

Without the use of zeolite, water supply to settlements of Ukraine by water after an accident would be impossible. Sokyrnit from the Transcarpathian deposit is used at all water intake stations of the Dnipro Basin. They also disinfected the discharges to Pripyat from the station. Passing through a two-meter layer of zeolite reduces the contamination of water by isotopes by two orders of magnitude.

After the accident at Fukushima, bags with a zeolite were also used to absorb radionuclides, dropping them into the drainage system to reduce the pollution of the water drained into the ocean.

Extraction and production

In the world there are about 1000 deposits where it is possible to extract natural zeolite (tuff) on a large scale. On the territory of the former USSR there were more than 20 of them - from Transcarpathia and Transcaucasia to Sakhalin. But the industrial value and need is such that from the middle of the last century began to produce synthetic zeolite. In it, part of the cations of alkali and alkaline earth metals is replaced by an alkyl ammonium ion. Dozens of species have been synthesized, some of which lack natural analogues. In the process of production, the amorphous active mixture is structured at a temperature of no higher than 200 ° C.

Construction material

Plates of Armenian tuff almost thirty shades are famous as a building and finishing material with excellent properties. They have beautiful houses in Yerevan and many cities around the world.

Zeolite natural application finds as a filler in the production of high-strength concrete, for example, for hydroconstructions, monolithic construction. Wastes from quarries and synthetic products go to the production of foamy and cellular materials, ceramic bricks.

Manufacture of thermal insulation, film materials, fireproof partitions, cardboard, paper, varnishes, paints, plastics - everywhere the use of zeolite is required.

And for cats, and for fish

A wide range of household applications is based on the fact that zeolite is a sorbent. Dryers for shoes, fillers for aquariums and cat litter, odor scavengers for refrigerators, fragrances, dry perfume is not a complete list of useful products.

But zeolites in washing powder hardly justify the use. Replacement of phosphates is good, but the mineral does not dissolve in water, it is poorly rinsed, settles on things, which is especially noticeable when squeezing dark tissues. But the zeolite nozzle on the hose that brings water to the washing machine, relieve the formation of scale and will save on detergents.

Living Water

The use of zeolite for water purification makes it not only suitable for use, but also gives it unique properties. Passed through the filter, it becomes similar to the spring one. It can not only drink, but also bathe babies, apply for cosmetic purposes, water flowers and seedlings, germinate seeds, pour into the aquarium. Comparative studies show high biological activity of water purified by zeolite. If there is no such filter, you can buy pebbles of a mineral (come in a pharmacy), rinse, put in a three-liter jar, or better in two. Water after 12 hours can already be used. From time to time, the zeolite is dried and calcined, but after three months must be replaced. Used stones should not be poured into indoor flowers, because they accumulate a lot of harmful substances.

Who are the lithophags?

Information that wild animals love to find and lick the salt is not entirely true. Studies have shown that they lick and eat rocks formed when rocks are destroyed. These stones are not at all salty, but contain montmorillonite, clinoptilolite and other varieties of zeolites.

The phenomenon of eating stones, clay, chalk (or lithophagy) is widespread in nature among animals, among uncivilized peoples, sometimes children and pregnant women can not keep it. Thus they instinctively fill the need for minerals and are treated.

The Stone of Life

But you can not use all kinds of zeolites inside. Harm can inflict varieties with dangerous needles. In Russia, only one zeolite - clinoptilolite of the Kholinsky deposit in Buryatia with an oval structure is certified for food and medical purposes. From it about 20 years produce a biologically active additive "Litovit" - a stone of life. The drug is released in the form of powder, granules, tablets from the same zeolite or with additives of bran, chaga, probiotics, medicinal plants. It is authorized for use and distribution in 10 countries of the world, the first certified in the program "Healthy Nutrition - Health of the Nation".

Indications for its use are very wide: acute poisoning, chronic intoxications, allergy, metabolic disorders, hepatitis, bronchopulmonary diseases, various scarce conditions (anemia, osteoporosis, arrhythmia, seizures) and their prevention.

It must be taken into account that the reception of "Litovit" should be divided in time with the use of drugs for at least an hour and a half, not to replace them with treatment. This is an additional and preventive remedy.

In the body, zeolite acts not only as a sorbent, purifying from harmful substances, but also as a donor of the necessary trace elements. And also make excellent scrubs and masks to cleanse and nourish the skin of the face and body.

In science and medicine it is necessary for chromatography, purification of insulin and blood, does not violate the protein composition of biological fluids.

For milk and crops

Zeolite is also used in agriculture as an effective mineral supplement for pets, large and small animals, poultry and fish, as well as an improver for soils and fertilizer for fertilizing plants.
Enriching their diet leads to healthier, faster growth, increased weight gain, better product quality. Brilliant smooth hair, good appetite, successful bearing of offspring, strong teeth, bones and eggshells, high milk yields - these are the indicators of sufficient consumption of minerals in living creatures.

Zeolite is needed to improve soil properties. It is used for indoor flowers, in greenhouses, in kitchen gardens, in the arrangement of lawns, golf courses, planting trees, and are brought under crops of cereals. The water permeability, aeration is increased, the acid and mineral composition of the soil is normalized. A single application of the zeolite retains its effect for 5 years. Plants are less sick, develop better, give more harvest.

Attention to environmental problems makes us seek effective means of counteracting environmental pollution. Zeolite is an indispensable material for solving such problems.