Physico-chemical characteristics and environmental exploitation of clinoptilolite Nizny Hrabovec

The clinoptilolite tuff used in this study, active mineral content of which was measured according to standardized techniques (e.g. X-ray diffraction, ion-exchange, water-vapor desorption) was 60% enriched. Physico-chemical characteristics considered from point of view as water treatment material and compared to siliceous sand and active coal as well as to some foreign clinoptilolite samples, e.g. mineralogical and chemical composition, thermic, alkali- and acid resistance, specific gravity, surface area, porosity, shipping weight, mechanical attrition and powdering survey, adsorption capacities of clinoptilolite towards Cs, Ba, Co, Fe, I, Ag, Zn and ammonium, hydration-dehydration behaviours and selectivity properties from among a major number of cations, have been investigated. Some pilot plant experiences of drinking water treatment with enhanced ammonium concentration on the field facility close to Bratislava and of tannery waste water treatment at Moravian plant using inland clinoptilolite will be presented. Mass-balance recycling loop for regeneration constituents recovery in tannery processing industry (ammonia and chromium) has been proposed and applied during pilot studies (capacity of installations ∼ 1 m3/hr). Iron and ammonium removal by addition of powdered clinoptilolite tuff in chemical coagulation processes for specific polluted surface water purification has been proven, respectively. Economic evaluation of ion-exchange technology by means of clinoptilolite with chemical regeneration and regeneration recovery by air-stripping method and of biological nitrification-denitrification for model hydraulic loading rate 6000 m3/ day was calculated as well as the operating cost of both technologies were compared and will be documented. (author)