Targeting Development Of Synthetic Zeolite Technology
Emerging industrial kaolin and mineral processing technology company Zeotech Limited (ASX:ZEO) has committed to the development and construction of a pilot plant and is undertaking an extensive test-work- programme to further optimise the flowsheet of the company’s low-cost synthetic zeolite manufacturing technology to de-risk future commercial investment.
The decisions follows the positive outcomes of extensive lab-scale work undertaken by researchers from the University of Queensland, since lodging a core provisional patent application in June 2019, for the manufacture (synthesis) of synthetic zeolites from kaolin or clay-based materials i.e., mine tailings or process residues.
Managing Director, Peter Zardo, said the pilot plant will allow the company to produce customer-scale samples of suitable quantities of synthetic zeolite product for potential end users for product application testing to assist negotiating off-take agreements.
The pilot plant research programme is fully funded and the research programme will be supported by researchers from The University of Queensland’s School of Chemical Engineering (UQ) with commissioning of the pilot plant is expected in the fourth quarter of 2021;
Mr Zardo said the pilot plant will increase confidence and certainty for the technology’s flowsheet design and operational performance of the circuit before committing to full scale commercial production.
The pilot plant will incorporate artificial intelligence (machine learning) to enhance understanding and application of piloting results, by building a comprehensive dataset and predictive capabilities.
Following the positive outcomes of extensive lab-scale work undertaken by researchers from UQ, since lodging a core provisional patent application in June 2019, for the manufacture (synthesis) of synthetic zeolites from kaolin or clay-based materials i.e., mine tailings or process residues, Zeotech has committed to undertake a comprehensive pilot plant program. The program will incorporate an artificial intelligence (machine learning) component to enhance understanding and application of piloting results, by building a comprehensive dataset and predictive capabilities.
The pilot plant will provide Zeotech with increased confidence and certainty on the engineered flowsheet design and operational performance of the process circuit before committing to commercial zeolite production facilities.
“We are excited to be commencing our pilot plant program, which we believe will clearly validate the potential of the Company’s patent-pending zeolite mineral processing technology,” Mr Zardo said.
“The results of the pilot plant will underpin the economics of our low-cost of production proposition and provide the required confidence in the process and its ability to support future commercial plant financing.
We value the ongoing contribution of our partners at The University of Queensland and look forward to keeping our shareholders updated on the progress of the programme.”
Synthetic zeolites are manufactured aluminosilicate minerals with a sponge-like structure, made up of tiny pores (frameworks) that make them useful as catalysts or ultrafine filters. They are commonly known as molecular sieves and can be designed to selectively adsorb molecules or ions dependant on their unique construction and have the ability to be regenerated over and over again for re-use (recycled).
Zeolites act much like a magnet that can hold cations, like heavy metal, ammonia, low level radioactive elements, toxins, petrochemicals, many different types of gases and a multitude of various solutions.
The selectivity properties of different synthetic zeolites enable them to be effective in wastewater treatment applications, water filters and as ion exchangers in many everyday dishwashing and laundry detergents.
Zeolites play an important role in a cleaner and safer environment.
- zeolites are an effective substitute for harmful phosphates in powder detergent, now banned in many parts of the world because of blue green algae toxicity in waterways
- as catalysts zeolites increase process efficiencies = decrease in energy consumption
- zeolites can act as solid acids and reduced the need for more corrosive liquid acids
- zeolites adsorbent capabilities see them widely used in water treatment i.e. heavy metal removal including those produced by nuclear fission
- as redox catalyst sorbents (zeolites) can help remove exhaust gases and CFC’s
