About BK technology

About the Products

Zeolite Crystal The products contain 100% all natural zeolite blends. Natural volcanic zeolite is a mineral consisting of silica and alumina. There are large deposits of volcanic zeolite minerals found in the western United States. Natural zeolites have a unique interconnecting lattice structure. This lattice structure is arranged to form a honeycomb framework of consistent diameter interconnecting channels and pores. Negatively charged alumina and neutrally charged silica tetrahedra building blocks are stacked to produce the open three dimensional honeycomb framework. Zeolites attract positively charged moisture, odors and gas molecules and trap them in its crystalline structure. Natural zeolites are formed from the altered volcanic ash. Zeolites have the ability to adsorb and desorb water, odor and gas molecules without any chemical or physical change in the zeolite itself. The material can encompass and control many times its weight in odors or moisture. Zeolites are safe, inert, stable, non-toxic and non-corrosive.

The process by which zeolites attract and trap moisture, odors and gases is called adsorption. Absorption (with a B) is a mechanical process - for example, a dry sponge responding to water by expanding and holding the water. Adsorption (with a D) is the electrical process (ionic) of opposite electrical ions attracted to and clinging to each other.

The zeolites are a popular group of minerals for collectors and an important group of minerals for industrial and other purposes. They combine rarity, beauty, complexity and unique crystal habits. Typically forming in the cavities, or vesicles, of volcanic rocks, zeolites are the result of very low grade metamorphism. Some form from just subtle amounts of heat and pressure and can just barely be called metamorphic while others are found in obviously metamorphic regimes. Zeolite crystals have been grown on board the space shuttle and are undergoing extensive research into their formation and unique properties.

The zeolites are framework silicates consisting of interlocking tetrahedrons of SiO₄ and AlO₄. In order to be a zeolite the ratio (Si +Al)/O must equal 1/2. The alumino-silicate structure is negatively charged and attracts the positive cations that reside within. Unlike most other tectosilicates, zeolites have large vacant spaces or cages in their structures that allow space for large cations such as sodium, potassium, barium and calcium and even relatively large molecules and cation groups such as water, ammonia, carbonate ions and nitrate ions. In the more useful zeolites, the spaces are interconnected and form long wide channels of varying sizes depending on the mineral. These channels allow the easy movement of the resident ions and molecules into and out of the structure. Zeolites are characterized by their ability to lose and adsorb water without damage to their crystal structures. The large channels explain the consistent low specific gravity of these minerals.

Zeolites have many useful purposes. They can perform ion exchange, filtering, odor removal, chemical sieve and gas absorption tasks. The most well known use for zeolites is in water softeners. Calcium in water can cause it to be "hard" and capable of forming scum and other problems. Zeolites charged with the much less damaging sodium ions can allow the hard water to pass through its structure and exchange the calcium for the sodium ions. This process is reversible. In a similar way zeolites can adsorb ions and molecules and thus act as a filter for odor control, toxin removal and as a chemical sieve. Zeolites can have the water in their structures driven off by heat with the basic structure left intact. Then other solutions can be pushed through the structure. The zeolites can then act as a delivery system for the new fluid. This process has applications in medicine, livestock feeds and other types of research. Zeolites added to livestock feed have been shown to adsorb toxins that are damaging and even fatal to the growth of the animals, while the basic structure of the zeolite is biologically neutral. Aquarium hobbyists are seeing more zeolite products in pet stores as zeolites make excellent removers of ammonia and other toxins. Most municipal water supplies are processed through zeolites before public consumption. These uses of zeolites are extremely important for industry, although synthetic zeolites are now doing the bulk of the work.

Zeolites have basically three different structural variations.

· There are chain-like structures whose minerals form acicular or needle-like prismatic crystals, ie natrolite.

· Sheet-like structures where the crystals are flattened platy or tabular with usually good basal cleavages, ie heulandite.

· And framework structures where the crystals are more equant in dimensions, ie Chabazite.

A zeolite can be thought of in terms of a house, where the structure of the house (the doors, windows, walls and roof) is really the zeolite while the furniture and people are the water, ammonia and other molecules and ions that can pass in and out of the structure. The chain-like structures can be thought of like towers or high wire pylons. The sheet-like structures can be thought of like large office buildings with the sheets analogous to the floors and very few walls between the floors. And the framework structures like houses with equally solid walls and floors. All these structures are still frameworks (like the true tectosilicates that zeolites are).

These variations make the zeolite group very diverse, crystal habit-wise. Otherwise zeolites are typically soft to moderately hard, light in density, transparent to translucent and have similar origins. There are about 45 natural minerals that are recognized members of the Zeolite Group. Industrially speaking, the term zeolite includes natural silicate zeolites, synthetic materials and phosphate minerals that have a zeolite like structure. The complexity of this combined group is extensive with over 120 structural variations and more are being discovered or made every year. Collecting zeolites can be very enjoyable and fulfilling.

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Mineralogist Report

Section 1 - DCP Chemical Tests

The "Moisture Control Unit" is predominantly a silica-rich amorphous material. Chemical and mineralogist analyses suggest it is a weathered volcanic ash. The average composition is 81.2% Si02. The amorphous material is a very good adsorber of moisture, ethylene gas, odors, mold, mildew, bacteria and other chemicals. This product will adsorb as well as desorb moisture.

Section 2 - Hazardous Ingredients

OSHA has determined that the material is:

· Non-Toxic

· Not Corrosive

· Non-flammable

· Stable

· Not Caustic

· Not an irritant

· Not a sensitizer in oral, dermal and ocular per Federal Hazardous Substances Act (15 CFR 1500)

It is safe to use around food. It can be safely ingested (although this is not recommended).

Section 3 - Energy

It is highly effective at removing water (humidity); the natural mineral will attract and hold moisture in refrigerated spaces during high humidity and releases the moisture when needed as the air dries out, helping to stabilize the atmospheric conditions. Thus, the compressor will not run as often to cool the cooler/freezer, which will save kilowatt-hours. This will result in better energy efficiency and less maintenance on refrigeration equipment.

Section 4 - Cubic Foot Coverage

The commercial unit will cover 500 to 1000 cubic feet of cooler/freezer space depending on the size of the filter bracket. Blend is classified as a "Trade Secret."

Section 5 - Drying of Mineral

Commercial units can be dried in 8 hours in the sun or baked in an oven at 120 degrees for two hours and placed back into the cooler/freezer. The unit is then good for 18 to 24 months.

Section 6 - Ethylene Gas

The Moisture Control mineral silica is a strong adsorber of ethylene gas to retard aging of produce, fruits and floral products for longer shelf life and freshness. The ethylene gas will be removed from the mineral during the drying process. Ethylene gas is an odorless, colorless gas that is naturally produced by the ripening process.

Section 7 - Testing Hours

Over 2,300 hours of experiments were conducted on the mineral. The mineral was analyzed with XRD and DCP analyses to determine its structural and chemical characteristics.

Section 8 - X-Ray Diffraction Tests

The natural mineral contains a mixture of quartz, feldspar and clay. It is predominantly an amorphous silica material, which adsorbs and desorbs much more strongly than clay products.

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