Recent Patents of Natural Zeolites Applications in Environment, Agriculture and Pharmaceutical Industry

The zeolites are a popular group of minerals known as hydrous aluminumsilicate. More than forty naturally oc- curring zeolites were reported by different research groups and more than 150 zeolites have been synthesized. They have been increasingly used in various application areas such as industry, agriculture, and environmental protection. This re- search paper reviews the recent patents of using zeolites in environment, agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Agriculture has more concern in the last ten years in the world, so zeolites can be used as agricultural and horticultural fungicide and as soil amendment. The use of zeolites in water treatment is an important environmental application. The first application in water purification by adding zeolite crystalloid coagulant ("ZCC") to water that contains particulate matter that has multi- valent ions adsorbed on the surfaces thereof. Other application is a process for the treatment of contaminated water based on the use of zeolites having different characteristics. Utilization of zeolites for treatment of contaminated water under dif- ferent conditions in environmental applications is also discussed. The review also carries the recent patents available in water treatment process, agricultural and pharmaceutical industry.