Microporous zirconium silicate for the treatment of hyperkalemia

A method for making a microporous zirconium silicate composition within a reactor, comprising:

• providing a reaction mixture comprising a silica source and a zirconium compound, the zirconium compound being hydrolysable to zirconium oxide or zirconium hydroxide, in the reactor;
• agitating the reaction mixture;
• and
• obtaining the microporous zirconium silicate from the reactor, wherein the microporous zirconium silicate has a potassium exchange capacity greater than 2.5 meq/g,
• wherein the reactor comprises:
• a reaction vessel having a volume of at least 20-L and an inside and outside wall;
• an agitator within the reaction vessel;
• a cooling jacket proximate to the outside wall of the reaction vessel;
• at least one baffle structure proximate the inside wall of the reaction vessel and placed in operative proximity to the agitator to provide a uniform suspension of solids within the reaction vessel.