ZEOLITE SYNTHESIS BY ALKALI FUSION METHOD USING TWO DIFFERENT FLY ASHES DERIVED FROM TURKISH THERMAL POWER PLANTS

Abstract

In this study, Faujasite (Na-LSX) (3.5(Ca0.3)3.5(Na0.6)3.5(Mg0.1)Al7Si17O48 32(H2O)) type zeolites and Ca-Filipsite (CaK0.6Na0.4Si5.2Al2.8O16 6(H2O)) type zeolites were produced from Sugözü Thermal Power Plant and Çatalaǧzi Thermal Power Plant fly ashes by alkali fusion method followed by water leaching, respectively. In these methods, fly ashes and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were mixed in certain proportions and sintered at 600°C in ash furnace. Then, zeolites were obtained from the ground materials after water leaching and solid/liquid separation, respectively. Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) analyses were used to characterize the synthesized zeolites. The zeolites synthesized with Sugözü fly ashes in a ratio of 1:2 had 136.93 meq/100 g CEC, whereas the CEC of synthesized zeolite from Çatalaǧzi fly ashes was found to be 247.88 meq/100 g. As a result, zeolites, which can be used as wastewater treatment agent, energy storage material, catalyst and separator, were synthesized by using 2 different Class F fly ash.