Pilot scale-up of zeolite NaA synthesis from aluminosilicate gels obtained using untreated industrial venezuelan materials

Scale-up is an essential task in chemical engineering, which involves the study of problems associated to research developed steps from laboratory to large scales. In this work, scale-up of zeolite A synthesis was carried out from laboratory treating a volume of 100 ml until pilot scale with a volume of 40 L. Silicon and aluminum sources were industrial materials produced in Venezuela, no pretreatment was needed for its use, this is a positive factor for technical and economic feasibility of a commercial process synthesis. A method of empirical approach was used, according to geometric, dynamic, thermal and chemical similarity criteria. The synthesis method used allowed to obtain pure crystalline zeolite A, with the same properties at all scales evaluated, helping to lay the basis for future commercial development of NaA zeolite synthesis in Venezuela.

Keywords: scale-up, similarity principle, zeolite synthesis, agitated systems, hydrothermal treatment.