Abstract: A composition for making composite adsorbents from a mixture of geopolymer, zeolite and activated carbon wherein a geopolymer material, a carbonaceous material, and an alkali activating agent are the components of the mixture. The alkali activating agent to carbonaceous material solid mass ratio is at least 0.25:1, respectively. A process for producing shaped composite adsorbents from the composition is done using conventional means such as mixing, shaping, extrusion and other methods. Alkali activation is used to convert the carbonaceous material to activated carbon, followed by hydrothermal treatment to convert the geopolymer material to zeolites. Shaped composite adsorbents fabricated from the composition of the instant invention are used for adsorption, purification, or other separation applications of liquids and gases.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing geopolymer tubes comprises forming a geopolymer composition comprised of an aluminosilicate source and an alkali activator, wherein the geopolymer composition has a fluid consistency and a shear thinning index of greater than 1.05, transferring the geopolymer composition into a tubular mold, rotating the mold to shear and distribute the composition onto the inner wall of the mold until the geopolymer composition reaches non-flowable consistency, and curing the geopolymer in the mold to form geopolymer tubes. A method for making geopolymer tubes with the disclosed geopolymer composition comprises shearing the geopolymer composition in a tubular mold at a high rotational speed to significantly reduce apparent viscosity to form the tubular shape, at least in the initial process stage. A ceramic tube made from the geopolymer composition of the present invention is used as a membrane or adsorbent for filtration applications.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing geopolymer tubes comprises forming a geopolymer composition comprised of an aluminosilicate source and an alkali activator, wherein the geopolymer composition has a fluid consistency and a shear thinning index of greater than 1.05, transferring the geopolymer composition into a tubular mold, rotating the mold to shear and distribute the composition onto the inner wall of the mold until the geopolymer composition reaches non-flowable consistency, and curing the geopolymer in the mold to form geopolymer tubes. A method for making geopolymer tubes with the disclosed geopolymer composition comprises shearing the geopolymer composition in a tubular mold at a high rotational speed to significantly reduce apparent viscosity to form the tubular shape, at least in the initial process stage. A ceramic tube made from the geopolymer composition of the present invention is used as a membrane or adsorbent for filtration applications.

Abstract: An asymmetric membrane having a layer containing a zeolite supported on a geopolymer substrate and methods for making an asymmetric membrane having a layer containing a zeolite supported on a geopolymer substrate. A cross-flow membrane separation method for increasing the concentration of ethanol from a feed mixture comprising water and ethanol, comprising: cross-flowing a feed mixture comprising water and ethanol across the layer comprising a zeolite of the asymmetric membrane of the instant invention to produce a permeate having an ethanol concentration less than the ethanol concentration of the feed mixture and a retentate having an ethanol concentration greater than the ethanol concentration of the feed mixture, the pressure of the feed mixture being greater than the pressure of the permeate.

Abstract: A composition for making composite adsorbents from a mixture of geopolymer, zeolite and activated carbon wherein a geopolymer material, a carbonaceous material, and an alkali activating agent are the components of the mixture. The alkali activating agent to carbonaceous material solid mass ratio is at least 0.25:1, respectively. A process for producing shaped composite adsorbents from the composition is done using conventional means such as mixing, shaping, extrusion and other methods. Alkali activation is used to convert the carbonaceous material to activated carbon, followed by hydrothermal treatment to convert the geopolymer material to zeolites. Shaped composite adsorbents fabricated from the composition of the instant invention are used for adsorption, purification, or other separation applications of liquids and gases.

Abstract: An asymmetric membrane having a layer containing a zeolite supported on a geopolymer substrate and methods for making an asymmetric membrane having a layer containing a zeolite supported on a geopolymer substrate. A cross-flow membrane separation method for increasing the concentration of ethanol from a feed mixture comprising water and ethanol, comprising: cross-flowing a feed mixture comprising water and ethanol across the layer comprising a zeolite of the asymmetric membrane of the instant invention to produce a permeate having an ethanol concentration less than the ethanol concentration of the feed mixture and a retentate having an ethanol concentration greater than the ethanol concentration of the feed mixture, the pressure of the feed mixture being greater than the pressure of the permeate.