Evaluation of Jordanian faujasite tuff by comparison with other natural and synthetic zeolites

The evaluation of the Jordanian faujasite tuff in wastewater treatment is i nvestigated by comparison with synthetic faujasite (13X) and clinoptilolite -rich tuff The material used (JORD-FAUJ) is concentrated by mineral process ing techniques. It has a faujasite content of 57% and phillipsite content o f 35%. Thorough characterization of the JORD-FAUJ revealed the high suitabi lity of the product for use in column operation. It either compares closely or gives better thermal stability, attrition resistance, acid resistance, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and water absorption capacity, when compared with products already recommended in column operation. The study has also revealed that the JORD-FAUJ competes efficiently in ammonium removal with t he synthetic faujasite 13X and clinoptilolite-rich tuff and gives similar p erformance, JORD-FAUJ gave a very high performance in removing Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Ni from wastewater, equivalent to 83-100% of that of faujasite 13X and much higher than the clinoptilolite-rich tuff.