Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
30.3 Results and Discussion
30.3.1 Production and Utilization of ZZ
The production of ZZ requires three raw materials: natural zeolite, zinc sulfate (pharma-
ceutical quality USP), and water; energy is also necessary to raise the temperature of the
reactor where the zeolite is processed and heat up the oven where ZZ will be dried and
sterilized before packaging. The production of ZZ does not require special facilities but
those of any plant where pharmaceutical raw materials are processed. Such facilities are
furnished with reactors, tanks for dissolution, centrifuge, drying ovens, dust ilters, pack-
aging machines, and a quality control system. Figure 30.2 shows a diagram of a basic plant
for ZZ production.
The dust ilter collects ZZ powder—accounting for 20% of the production—cleaning
the particles and delivering a product that can be used in the formulation of antiseptic
drugs as vaginal tablets and cream for infections, dermal cream to heal burns, scratch,
pressure ulcer, and wounds. This ZZ powder can also be used in the production of build-
ing materials with microbicidal activity to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus,
such as concrete and mortar for sanitary rooms, kitchens, restaurants, etc. The waste solu-
tion treatment basically consists in the separation of sludge from zinc sulfate dissolution
(Figure 30.3). The sludge is a mixture of calcium sulfate and ZZ powder that can be used
as plaster with microbicidal action for sanitary facilities like surgery rooms, intensive care
units, and other hospital rooms.
The quality control of the process is based on the chemical analysis of the raw materials,
zinc sulfate solutions, and ZZ. A chemical analysis to control the solution concentration
is conducted using a volumetric method, while the raw material and ZZ are submitted to
Natural
zeolites
Dust
filter
Reactor
Conveyor
Wet ZZ
Hopper
Tank for
zinc
sulphate
solution
Centrifuge
ZZ
Pump
Air
compressor
Furnace
Plant for ZZ
production
Heater
FIGURE 30.2
Diagram of the technological equipment required for ZZ production.
