3 December 2014
ABOUT HIGH SILICA ZEOLITE
High silica zeolite
is an adsorbent which has improved hydrophobic nature
due to its higher silica content compared with
ordinary synthetic zeolite,
preferably adsorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and
odorants before moisture.
By blending with plastics and fibers, the material is used in
such applications as deodorization, gas adsorption,
removal of toxic VOCs, refining of biogases, and
sterilization of ballast water of vessels before discharging.
Demand for high silica zeolite is growing for these applications.
DETAILS
a joint venture between
Showa Denko (SDK) (Tokyo:4004) and
UOP LLC (UOP), of Illinois, U.S.A.,
has completed the construction of a new high silica zeolite plant
within the premises of SDK’s Higashinagahara Plant
in Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan
and will start operation of the new plant in this December.
High silica zeolite has been in tight supply,
reflecting a growing demand on a global scale.
In Japan and other Asian countries, in particular,
demand is expected to grow further,
reflecting increased awareness of the need
for environmental protection and desire
to achieve a higher standard of living.
On the other hand, USKK has so far been importing
high silica zeolite from
UOP’s plant in Mobile, Alabama, U.S.A.,
for sale in the Japanese market.
As a part of the UOP Group’s global strategy
to ensure stable supply of high silica zeolite
to customers in Asia including Japan,
develop new applications quickly, and
improve technical services,
USKK recently decided to newly establish
in Japan the second high silica zeolite plant of the UOP Group.
is currently producing hydrophilic synthetic zeolite
at its Yokkaichi Plant in Mie Prefecture,
for such applications as dehydration, drying,
refining, and separation.
The new zeolite production facilities build
in the premises of SDK’s Higashinagahara Plant
are designed to act flexibly, responding to every need of customers,
and can also produce special zeolites other than
the high silica zeolite mentioned above.
USKK will fully utilize
its two plants in Mie and Fukushima prefectures,
aiming to develop and supply new zeolite products,
not only for conventional use such as
treatment of industrial waste water,
but also for nuclear-waste-remediation and decontamination,
including treatment of contaminated water at
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, and
treatment of radioactive nuclides to
promote decommissioning of nuclear reactors.
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WWW.CHEMWINFO.COM BY KHUN PHICHAI
