Method and apparatus for producing zeolite

Abstract

A composition comprising an incineration ash or an aluminosilicate as a raw material is added with an aqueous alkaline solution from an alkali storage tank (3) and heated. The resultant pre-mixture is then mixed and kneaded by a kneader (4) to prepare a kneaded mixture (19) in the form of a slurry or mud. The kneaded mixture (19) is moved continuously and irradiated directly with an electromagnetic wave of 300 MHz to 30 GHz in an electromagnetic wave irradiation unit (21), to thereby convert it to zeolite. The zeolite thus formed is cleaned by means of a cleaning machine (7) and dried with a rotary steam dryer (9). This method can be employed for producing an artificial zeolite with a reduced amount of alkali used and discharged, at a lower energy expenditure, and a reduced time for production.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.