Clinoptilolite is a natural zeolite of the Heulandite group with the simplified formula of (Na, K)6Si30AI6072 .nH2.It is the most common Natural zeolite found mainly in sedimentary rocks Of volcanic origin . Such deposits aroused strong Commercial interest because clinoptilolite tuffs are Often rather pure and can be mined with simple Techniques. Commercially available natural Zeolites are usually of the natural clinoptilolite Deposits . clinoptilolite is used in many applications such as a chemical sieve , a gas absorber , a feed additive , a food additive, an odor control agent and as a water filter for municipal and residential drinking water and aquariums. Clinoptilolite is well suited for these applications Due to its largo amount of pore space , high Resistance to extreme temperatures and Chemically netural basic structure . what might Strike many as odd is the food and feed additives . Clinoptilolite has been used for several years now As an additive to feed for cows , pigs , horses and Chickens . it absorbs toxin in the feed that are Created by molds and microscopic parasites and Has enhanced food absorption by these animals . Similar uses in actual people food are being Tested . clinoptilolite can easily absorb ammonia And other toxic gases from air and water and thus Can be used in filters , both for health reasons and For odor removal . clinoptilolite forms as a Devitrification product (the conversion of glass to Crystalline material ) of volcanic glass in tuffs .tuffs Are consolidated pyroclastic rocks . the Devitrificaton occurs when the glass is in contact With saline waters . clinoptilolite is also found in the Vesicles of volcanic rock such as basalts , Rhyolites and andesites . it forms as an alteration of Phillipsite in deep – sea sediuments and with borate Minerals in playa lakes . clinoptilolite , which means “ oblique feather stone “ in Greek , received its Name because it was thought to be the monoclinic ( or oblique inclined ) phase of the mineral ptilolite , As in “ oblique ptilolite “ . But ptolilite was later found To be the earlier named mineral mordenite ; Consequently is very closely related to heulandite And is currently being considered for disuse itself As it may just be a variety of heulandite From heulandit significantly only in its enrichment In potassium and slightly more silica and it is Argued that a separate mineral is not needed . The Name clinoptilolite is widely recognized and used Among zeolite industries , mineral collectors and Mineralogists . for now at least , clinoptilolite is Recognized as a legitimate , distinct mineral . the Structure of clinoptilolite is the same as heulandite And is sheet – like . Although still a true tectosilicate Where every oxygen is connected to either a Silicon or an aluminum ion ( at a ratio of [ AI +Si]/O =1/2), there still is a sheet-like structural Organization . A few bonds that are relatively widely Separated from each other connect the sheets to Each other . The sheets contain open rings of Alternating eight and ten sides . these rings stack Together from sheet to sheet to from channels Throughout the crystal structure . the size of these Channels controls the size of the molecules or ions That can pass through them and therefore a zeolite Like clinoptilolite can act as a chemical sieve , Allowing some ions to pass through while blocking others . A zeolite can be though of in terms of a house , where the structure of the house ( the doors , window , walls and roof ) is the zeolite while the furniture and people are the water and ammonia molecules and ions that can pass in and out of the structure . clinoptilolite’s sheet – like structure produces the prominent pinacoid faces , the perfect cleavage and the unique luster on those faces
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