Volume 11 Issue 4 ( December 2024)

Zeolites’ synthesis from low-value precursors and their environmental benefits are reviewed. A case study approach is used where natural resource-based synthesis and a commercial-chemical route are compared for environmental accountability, focusing on energy and material consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Using natural or waste raw materials is recommended; it significantly reduces energy consumption by 0.02 kWh, lowers CO₂ emissions by 0.3 kg, and decreases material costs by 6 USD/kg of zeolite produced, compared to chemical precursors. Waste-materials usage for zeolite fabrication is highlighted for its notable advantages, including land-space conservation, positive health impacts, and pollution mitigation. Key conditions for sustainable synthesis include proper aging, alkaline-fusion, aluminum-content adjustments, and waste-liquid recycling.

Keywords: Green zeolite-synthesis; wastes; natural raw-material; recycling; CO₂ -emission; energy-saving