Method of producing zeolite from an acid-refractory mineral composition

Abstract

The invention provides a method of producing zeolite from an acid-refractory mineral composition, the method comprising: (a) treating an acid-refractory mineral composition comprising aluminosilicate with an alkaline solution to dissolve silicon from the aluminosilicate into the alkaline solution, thereby producing an alkaline silicate solution and an aluminium-bearing mineral residue; (b) separating the alkaline silicate solution from the aluminium-bearing mineral residue; (c) contacting the aluminium-bearing mineral residue with an acid solution to dissolve aluminium from the aluminium-bearing mineral residue into the acid solution, thereby producing an aluminium salt solution and an aluminium-lean solid residue; (d) separating the aluminium salt solution from the aluminium-lean solid residue; (e) combining at least a portion of the alkaline silicate solution and at least a portion of the aluminium salt solution to form a zeolite precursor solution; and (f) precipitating a zeolite from the zeolite precursor solution.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.