Mineral Gurus please reply; Zeolites and stuff 1

[aspearin1]

Laumontite!! It's got a nice cation exchange capacity, only most web searches come up with mineral collectors' websites, because it's also kinda pretty. So I ask if anyone out there has some industrial experience with this zeolite. How well does it work for you? And were is a good place to get it in the -40 to -300 mesh range? Also, are there any other calcium rich (low sodium and potassium) zeolites you might also suggest in its place. Thank you in advance, all who reply.

 

[Focht3]

Why do you want this mineral? (i.e. your use?)

You hit an engineering forum; you may or may not find someone familiar with Laumontite (or even zeolites) on this forum.

You really need to find a geologist (or, possibly, a mining engineer) to answer your inquiry - if you don't get a response, try contacting your local geologic society for help.

Good luck!

 

[jdmm]

I don't know anything about zeolites except the limited amount from minerology but I met a contractor in Alberta Canada that has a zeolite mine so they might know where to get the kind of information that you are looking for. The company is Hytec Hydrocarbon Reclamation Ltd. the e-mail is hytec@telusplanet.com.

Hope this helps.

 

[TJWATKINSPG]

Obviously you do not need a text book explanation of what a zeoloite is I have some experience with them in the water quality area what exactly is your use? wheere is the stuff going to be used/ effected? The truth will set you free. Best of luck. Geodude

 

[aspearin1]

Well, since my posting, I have found a laumontite supplier out in California. The company is Zeo-Tech, Inc. Anyway, Laumontite seems to work about as well as clinoptilolite, which I got from St. Cloud Mining Co. in New Mexico. These things work great for my process, all except for they also leach metals into the stream, which has it's own set of problems. To rectify this, I use a secondary cation exchange bed to remove the metals. But Na, and K are tougher to remove, so I was searching for a Ca rich zeolite. Anyway, that's part of the background. What I am trying to do is remove a soluble cationic polymer from our process fluid to recycle it. The polymer cannot be removed with normal cation exchange beads because they prefer to catalyze a side esterification reaction. So zeolites seem to be a workable option. Another problem I'm dealing with here is that I cannot find a 100-200 mesh size. My suppliers deal in 40 mesh and 325 mesh. The 40 mesh have too low an outer surface area, and the 325 mesh prevents flow. So our working option for this polymer removal seems to be a slurry reactor. Any other suggestions?

 

[Focht3]

If you will be buying enough product, they might custom grind a batch for you...