Zeolite-A is used as a detergent builder to remove hardness causing calcium and magnesium ions from the water. Zeolite-A is used as an alternative to polluting sodium tripolyphosphate in the powder detergents.
The Central Salt & Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Bhavnagar, Ahmedabad, a unit of the CSIR labs, has developed a “world class technology” for the manufacture of Zeolite–A powder is developed and is offering it for a license fee, for a commercial plant of 10,000 tons per year capacity.
The salient features of it are as follows:
- Prepared Zeolite-A has calcium binding capacity of 160-170 mg of CaO/g and particle size of less than 5 micron.
- The physicochemical properties of product Zeolite – A powder compete with those of produced by Degussa, PQ Corporation, SPIC Fine Chem. etc.
- In the process sodium silicate and sodium aluminate solution allowed to react in different steps under controlled conditions to prepare Zeolite-A.
- Expertise is available to produce Zeolite–A powder using bauxite, Bayer liquor, sodium aluminate powder, waste alumina, kaolin and siliceous earth as starting materials
Business scope & opportunity (in terms of scale, cost, market etc.)
With stringent environmental regulations and demand for green alternatives causing water pollution, the Zeolite-A as a detergent builder has excellent opportunity
Environmental Considerations
The process generates alkaline effluent containing sodium hydroxide, which can be treated using appropriate technique to recycle/reuse DM or RO water.
Major Raw Materials Needed
Silica source (sodium silicate or silica containing waste), alumina source (sodium aluminate, aluminum hydrate, or alumina waste), sodium hydroxide, RO or demineralized water etc.
Major Plant Equipment and Machinery Required
Raw material storage tanks, solution preparation tanks, Jacketed Reactor with stirrer, Pumps, Filter press, spray drier, packing unit etc.
Techno-Economics
Robust technology with capability to use waste and economic raw material for the preparation of Zeolite-A, will make the process techno-economical feasible and competitive in the open market.
Technology Package
“Process know-how for Zeolite-A; Demonstration of the process at 25 Kg/batch; License fee, royalty and other financial details are available on request,” says CSMCRI.
For further details, contact: Business development/ Technology Transfer Dr. Kamalesh Prasad kamlesh@csmcri.res.in
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