COMPARATIVE-STUDIES BETWEEN SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL ZEOLITES FOR AMMONIUM UPTAKE

Studies have been performed in order to obtain information related to the ammonia removal using natural zeolites, clinoptilolite, mordenite and ferrierite in their sodium forms as well as synthetic zeolite A in its sodium, potassium and calcium forms. Experimental results indicat e that natural zeolites show higher selectivity for ammonium ions desp ite the much higher theoretical exchange capacity of zeolite A. Clinop tilolite of Greek origin shows the best performance regarding selectiv ity for the ammonium ion, ion exchange rate and quantities taken. This performance is very promising for the possible use of clinoptilolite for water and wastewater treatment.