Zeolite

The microporous molecular structure of a zeolite, ZSM-5

Zeolites are microporous, aluminosilicate minerals commonly used as commercial adsorbents and catalysts. They occur naturally but are also produced industrially on a large scale. Hundreds of unique zeolite frameworks have been identified. Uses include

• largest single use: global laundry detergent market
• as ion-exchange beds in water purification, softening, and other applications.
• in chemistry, zeolites are used to separate molecules
• precise and specific separation of gases, including the removal of H2O, CO2 and SO2 from low-grade natural gas streams. Upgrading of biogas
• oxygen concentrators (applications in medicine, metallurgy, energy generation, etc.)
• energy applications (e.g. solar thermal): heat transfer fluid
• biofuel applications: separating a mixture of chemicals (e.g. in pyrolysis) gas
• biochemistry applications: separating a mixture of chemicals
• in agriculture: as water moderators (slow release)
• as catalysts and sorbents.

Zeolite Cooling

Zeolite-water cooling - to be opensourced by Cohabitat Group later in the year. Via Pawel Sroczynski.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rytnQoJ6ekk#t=199

Carol Smith For more details: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.showFile&rep=file&fil=LIFE04_ENV_LU_000829_LAYMAN.pdf

Patent Situation

If somebody could do an overview of the patent situation on zeolites (tall order), please summarize it here. Many of the most relevant patents appear to be from the 1960s and 70s, so may be in the public domain by now. More recent patents would still be proprietary.

Open Source Hardware Needs

(insert here - what kind of hardware is needed to make zeolites?)

Related Wiki Pages

• Bone Char may have some similar properties to certain zeolites (filtering fluids)
• Biochar may also have some properties that resemble some zeolites but it is not clear to what extent this has been explored