The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria
says it has recorded major breakthroughs following
researches it carried out in petrochemicals and
automobile engineering.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Ibrahim Garba,
disclosed this in Abuja.
He said that the university, with the assistance of the
Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF),
successfully developed a petroleum refining material
called zeolite, using a kind of clay called kaolin.
According to him, zeolite, which is a natural mineral, can
be used in refining petroleum products in the country.
He, however, said the mineral was not available in
commercial quantity in the country.
“The Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)
has commissioned a research to develop one kind of
material that is used in petroleum refining which is called
zeolite and there are two types.
“They found that if we can covert certain minerals to
zeolite it will help.
“This research has succeeded in converting a clay mineral
which is called kaolin to two types of zeolite which can be
applicable to petroleum refining.
“The university has even received a patent certificate from
former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“It is now ready to go into semi commercialisation to
produce it in large quantity and that has been successful.
“PTDF is also ready to join hands with the Raw Material
Research and Development Council ((RMRDC) to take it to
commercial scale.

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