AMMONIA MITIGATION IN ANIMAL LITTER COMPOSITIONS

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods for preparing animal litter composition and, in particular, methods of improving odor control in such animal litter compositions. The methods may include providing an animal litter composition that includes a manganese salt, the manganese salt being effective to react with odor-causing ammonia compounds that come into contact with the animal litter composition to thereby reduce an amount of ammonia gas released from a surface of the animal litter composition. In particular, in some embodiments, the present disclosure provides animal litter composition with improved odor control, such compositions including a plurality of particles, at least a portion of which include a liquid absorbing material, and a manganese salt at least partially coating at least a portion of the plurality particles.

Claims

1. An animal litter composition comprising: a plurality of particles, at least a portion of which comprise a liquid absorbing material; and a manganese salt at least partially coating at least a portion of the plurality particles.

2. The animal litter composition of claim 1, wherein the manganese salt is manganese chloride.

3. The animal litter composition of claim 1, wherein the manganese salt is present in an amount of at least about 0.005% by dry weight, based on the total dry weight of the coated liquid absorbing material.

4. The animal litter composition of claim 1, wherein the liquid-absorbing material comprises a clay-based material, a non-clay based material, or a combination thereof.

5. The animal litter composition of claim 1, wherein the animal litter composition further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of fillers, clumping agents, de-dusting agents, fragrances, bicarbonates, binders, and preservatives.

6. The animal litter composition of claim 1, wherein the animal litter composition is effective to reduce an amount of ammonia gas released from a surface of the animal litter composition by at least about 5% relative to an animal litter of identical composition, but that does not include the manganese salt.

7. A method of improving odor control in an animal litter composition, the method comprising providing the animal litter composition so that it includes a manganese salt, the presence of the manganese salt being effective to react with ammonia compounds that come into contact with the animal litter composition and thereby reduce an amount of ammonia gas released from a surface of the animal litter composition after the animal litter composition comes into contact with the ammonia compounds.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the presence of the manganese salt in the animal litter composition is effective to reduce an amount of ammonia gas released from a surface of the animal litter composition by at least about 5% relative to an animal litter of identical composition, but that does not include the manganese salt.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the animal litter composition comprises particles of a liquid absorbing material.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the particles of the liquid absorbing material are contacted with a content of a solution comprising the manganese salt in an aqueous solvent so that the manganese salt at least partially coats the particles of the liquid absorbing material.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the solution comprises about 0.1% to about 10% manganese salt by weight, based on the total weight of the solution.

12. A method of preparing an animal litter composition, the method comprising combining particles of a liquid absorbing material with a manganese salt such that the manganese salt at least partially coats, individually, at least a portion of the particles of the liquid absorbing material.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising combining the particles of the liquid absorbing material including the manganese salt with one or more additives selected from the group consisting of fillers, clumping agents, de-dusting agents, fragrances, bicarbonates, binders, and preservatives.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising drying the animal litter composition after combination of the particles of the liquid absorbing material with the manganese salt.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the manganese salt is provided as a solution of the manganese salt in an aqueous solvent.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the manganese salt is manganese chloride.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the solution comprises about 0.1% to about 10% manganese salt by weight, based on the total weight of the manganese salt solution.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the solution is combined with the particles of the liquid absorbing material in a sufficient amount so that the manganese salt is present in the animal litter composition in an amount of at least about 0.005% by dry weight, based on the total dry weight of the coated liquid absorbing material.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the liquid absorbing material comprises a clay-based material, a non-clay based material, or a combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the manganese salt is combined with the particles of the liquid absorbing material in a sufficient amount to reduce an amount of ammonia gas released from a surface of the animal litter composition by at least about 5% relative to an animal litter of identical composition, but that does not include the manganese salt.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0037] Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of experimental setup for measuring the ammonia mitigation efficacy of an animal litter composition, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a plot of the ammonia concentration (in ppm/h) present in a headspace at or above the surface of samples of a treated animal litter composition, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a plot of the ammonia concentration (in ppm/h) present in a headspace at or above the surface of samples of a treated animal litter composition, according to an example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a plot of the ammonia concentration (in ppm/h) present in a headspace at or above the surface of samples of a treated animal litter composition, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates a plot of the ammonia concentration (in ppm/h) present in a headspace at or above the surface of animal litter compositions that have been treated with varying concentrations of manganese chloride, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0043] The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to specific embodiments. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0044] The present disclosure relates to animal litter compositions and methods of preparing such compositions. The presently disclosed methods and compositions can be particularly beneficial in that they can provide the ability to reduce or mitigate ammonia generation in liquid absorbing materials and, in particular, in animal litter compositions including such liquid absorbing materials. Advantageously, the animal litter compositions and methods of preparing such compositions as described herein are effective to reduce ammonia generation within the animal litter composition (e.g., to reduce the quantity of ammonia generated in and emanating from the animal litter composition over a period of time).

[0045] In one or more embodiments, an animal litter composition according to the present disclosure can comprise at least a plurality of particles of a liquid absorbing material and a metal salt (e.g., such as a manganese salt). In some embodiments, the metal salt may at least partially coat the individual articles of the liquid absorbing material. Optional additional ingredients may also be included as further described herein. A liquid absorbing material for use in an animal litter composition as described herein can include any such material previously recognized as useful in forming animal litters. For example, the liquid absorbing material may be a clay-based material, a non-clay based material, or a combination thereof.

[0046] In some embodiments, for example, the liquid absorbing material is a clay-based material. In certain embodiments, the clay-based material may be a naturally clumping clay. For example, a clay soil or comminuted rock containing at least one water swellable clay mineral (such as a montmorillonite or smectite) can be used. In some embodiments, a comminuted bentonite, such as a sodium bentonite, which contains a preponderant amount of montmorillonite clay mineral, may be used as the liquid absorbing material in the present animal litter composition. Non-limiting examples of bentonite clays that can be used include sodium bentonite, potassium bentonite, lithium bentonite, calcium bentonite and magnesium bentonite, or combinations thereof. In other embodiments, the clay-based material may be a non-clumping clay material. Non-limiting examples of useful non-clumping clays include attapulgite, Fuller's earth, calcium bentonite, palygorskite, sepiolite, kaolinite, illite, halloysite, hormite, vermiculite or mixtures thereof. Clay-based liquid absorbing materials (including both clumping and non-clumping clays) useful in the present animal litter compositions are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,720,375 to Miller et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0047] In some embodiments, the liquid absorbing material may be a non-clay based material. Typically, such non-clay based materials are also water swellable absorbent materials. Non-limiting examples of non-clay based materials that can be used include zeolites, crushed stone (e.g., dolomite and limestone), gypsum, sand, calcite, recycled waste materials, silica, corn cob, wheat, extruded and/or cross-linked starches, ground cellulosic plant materials, wheat straw, sawdust, fly ash, and the like.

[0048] In one or more embodiments, the performance of the present animal litter composition can relate to one or more properties of the liquid absorbing material apart from its ability to absorb liquid. In some embodiments, performance can be improved though use of a clay-based material exhibiting a defined particle size range. For example, suitable liquid absorbing materials can be provided with an average particle size of about 0.2 mm to about 5 mm, about 0.3 mm to about 4 mm, or about 0.5 mm to about 3 mm. In some embodiments, the surface area of each particle of the liquid absorbing material may comprise a defined surface area that that has been found to maximize effectiveness of the animal litter composition in exhibiting reduced adhesion to surfaces when the litter is wetted. For example, particles of the liquid absorbing material can have an average surface area that is less than 20 m.sup.2/g, less than 15 m.sup.2/g, or less than 10 m.sup.2/g. In each of the foregoing ranges, it is understood that the particles preferably have a minimum surface area of at least 1 m.sup.2/g. In some embodiments, the particles of the liquid absorbing material can have an average surface of about 1 m.sup.2/g to about 20 m.sup.2/g, about 2 m.sup.2/g to about 15 m.sup.2/g, or about 3 m.sup.2/g to about 10 m.sup.2/g. Surface area can be measured utilizing known methods, such as the Brunauer, Emmett, Teller (“BET”) method wherein surface area is calculated using N.sub.2 absorption. The above values, in some embodiments, thus may be referred to as the BET surface area.

[0049] The amount of the liquid absorbing material used in the present animal litter composition can vary. For example, the liquid absorbing material can form about 15% by weight to about 99.5% by weight of the composition. In further embodiments, the amount of the liquid absorbing material in the animal litter composition can be about 20% by weight to about 94% by weight, about 25% by weight to about 90% by weight, about 30% by weight to about 80% by weight, or about 35% by weight to about 55% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

[0050] The animal litter composition also includes a metal salt in addition to the individual particles of the liquid absorbing material. In one or more embodiments as described herein, the particles of liquid absorbing material may have been treated with a metal salt solution (e.g., a metal salt in an aqueous solvent) such that the metal salt at least partially coats, individually, at least a portion of the individual particles of the liquid absorbing material after drying. As used herein, a “metal salt” or “metallic salt” refers to its typical meaning in physical chemistry, for example, an ionic compound formed between a metal cation and an anion forming a soluble salt. The types of metal salts suitable for use in the compositions and methods provided herein may vary. For example, a metal salt as used herein typically refers to a soluble salt of a transition metal. Non-limiting examples of metal salts that can be used include barium chloride (BaCl.sub.2), calcium chloride (CaCl.sub.2), copper chloride (CuCl.sub.2), iron chloride (FeCl.sub.3), manganese chloride (MnCl.sub.2), magnesium chloride (MgCl.sub.2), strontium chloride (SrCl.sub.2), zinc chloride (ZnCl.sub.2), sodium bromide (NaBr), copper sulfate (CuSO.sub.4), and zinc sulfate (ZnSO.sub.4). In some embodiments, the metal salt may preferably be a manganese salt, e.g., such as manganese chloride.

[0051] In some embodiments, the metal salt may be present in an amount of at least about 0.001% by dry weight, at least about 0.005% by dry weight, at least about 0.01% by dry weight, at least about 0.05% by dry weight, at least about 0.1% by dry weight, at least about 0.5% by dry weight, at least about 1.0% by dry weight, or at least about 2.0% by dry weight, based on the total dry weight of the coated liquid absorbing material. In some embodiments, the metal salt may be present in an amount in the range of about 0.001% to about 2.0% by dry weight, about 0.005% to about 1.5% by dry weight, or about 0.01% to about 1.0% by dry weight, based on the total dry weight of the coated liquid absorbing material.

[0052] As noted above, in one or more embodiments, the metal salt may be provided as a solution of the metal salt in an aqueous solvent when combined with the particles of the liquid absorbing material. Typically, the aqueous solvent is water. However, other solvents may be used as would be understood by a person skilled in the art. Generally, when the metal salt is provided as a solution, the concentration of the metal salt within that solution may vary. For example, the metal salt solution may include a concentration of the metal salt of at least about 0.1% by weight, at least about 1% by weight, at least about 2% by weight, at least about 4% by weight, at least about 6% by weight, at least about 8% by weight, or at least about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the metal salt solution. In some embodiments, the metal salt may include a concentration of the metal salt in the range of about 0.1% to about 20% by weight, about 0.5% to about 15% by weight, or about 1% to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the metal solution.

[0053] In some embodiments, the animal litter compositions of the present disclosure may comprise at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least about 99% of the coated liquid absorbing material (i.e., coated at least partially with a metal salt). In certain embodiments, for example, animal litter compositions according to the disclosure may include 100% of the coated liquid absorbing material. In other embodiments, the animal litter composition may include one or more additional components in addition to the coated liquid absorbing material.

[0054] In one or more embodiments, for example, the animal litter composition may also include one or more clumping agents, or clump enhancing materials. Description of suitable clumping agents is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 8,720,375 to Miller et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Useful clumping agents are those materials suitable to promote adhesion of the fine size particles of litter granules to each other as well as adhesion of the particles to form agglomerates when wetted. Preferably, the clumping agent allows the formation of a gelled agglomerate when exposed to a liquid, such as animal urine. A clumping agent may be provided in admixture (e.g., in particle form) with the further particles forming the animal litter. In some embodiments, the clumping agent can be provided as a coating on at least a portion of the other particles forming the animal litter (e.g., as a coating on at least a portion of the liquid absorbing material). Such coatings may be provided by any known method, such as spraying.

[0055] Non-limiting examples of materials suitable for use as a clumping agent include naturally occurring polymers (e.g., naturally occurring starches, water soluble polysaccharides, and gums), semisynthetic polymers (e.g., cellulose derivatives, such as carboxymethyl cellulose), and sealants. Exemplary clumping agents include amylopectins, natural gums, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose. The amount of any clumping agent that is present in the animal litter composition can vary based upon the total composition. For example, it can be useful to include a greater amount of clumping agents when a greater amount of non-absorbent fillers is used. In some embodiments, clumping agents can be present in a total amount of 0.1% by weight to about 6% by weight, about 0.2% by weight to about 5.5% by weight, about 0.3% by weight to about 5% by weight, or about 0.5% by weight to about 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the animal litter composition.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the animal litter composition may also include one or more fillers. Fillers suitable for use in the present animal litter compositions can include a variety of materials that can be a non-absorbent, non-soluble substrate, or can be an absorbent substrate. In one or more embodiments, useful fillers can include absorbent substrates, such as non-clumping clays. Non-limiting examples of useful non-clumping clays include attapulgite, Fuller's earth, calcium bentonite, palygorskite, sepiolite, kaolinite, illite, halloysite, hormite, vermiculite or mixtures thereof. Suitable fillers according to the present disclosure also can include a variety of non-absorbent, non-soluble substrates, such as non-clay substances. Such non-clay substances may, in some embodiments, include organic or inorganic absorbants including, but not limited to, soybean meal, soybean hulls, cottonseed meal, cotton seed hulls, canola meal, sunflower seed meal, linseed meal, safflower meal, rolled oats, crimped oats, pulverized oats, oat hulls, reground oat feed, rice bran, rice millfeed, and rice hulls, beet pulp pellets, beet pulp shreds, citrus pulp pellets, barley feed, feed wheat, milo, and ground grain screenings, wheat shorts, what brand, wheat middlings, wheat millrun, alfalfa meal, corn hominy feed, corn cobs, distillers dried grains, malt sprouts, and brewers dried grains. Other non-limiting examples of non-clay materials that can be used as filler include zeolites, crushed stone (e.g., dolomite and limestone), gypsum, sand, calcite, recycled waste materials, silica, corn cob, wheat, extruded and/or cross-linked starches, ground cellulosic plant materials, wheat straw, and the like.

[0057] In some embodiments, it can be useful to provide the filler material in a form exhibiting specific characteristics. For example, it can be useful for the filler material to exhibit an average particle size that is approximately the same as the liquid absorbing material particles. In particular, the filler material may exhibit an average particle size that is +/−20%, +/−15%, +/−10%, or +/−5% of the average particle size of the liquid absorbing material particle size. In some embodiments, it likewise can be useful for the filler material to have an average surface area that is approximately the same as the surface area of the liquid absorbing material particles. The above tolerances thus likewise can apply to surface area.

[0058] The amount of the filler used in the present animal litter composition can vary. In some embodiments, filler may be expressly excluded (i.e., forming 0% of the litter composition). Preferably, the filler provides the balance of the animal litter composition after all other materials are included. As examples, the animal litter composition can comprise about 0% by weight to about 75% by weight, about 10% by weight to about 70% by weight, about 25% by weight to about 65% by weight, or about 40% by weight to about 60% by weight of the filler, based on the total weight of the animal litter composition.

[0059] In addition to the foregoing, one or more further materials may be included in the present animal litter composition. Specifically, any conventional litter additive may be included to the extent that there is no interference with the ability of the litter composition to provide the useful effect of reduced adherence to surfaces when wetted. Non-limiting examples of additional materials that may be used include binders, preservatives, such as biocides (e.g., benzisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolone), de-dusting agents, fragrance, bicarbonates, and combinations thereof. Each of the foregoing materials separately may be included in any amount up to about 5% by weight, up to about 2% by weight, up to about 1% by weight, or up to about 0.5% by weight, such as about 0.01% by weight to about 5% by weight, to about 4% by weight, to about 3% by weight, to about 2% by weight, or to about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the animal litter composition. Further, it is understood that any one or more of such materials may be expressly excluded from the present animal litter composition.

[0060] These particular formulations and combinations of components are not to be construed as limiting and the specific amounts of individual components may vary based on the desired odor control, flow characteristics, permeation depth, and/or other factors. The animal litter compositions described herein may be used for a wide variety of animals and birds, such as cats, dogs, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, rats, ferrets, chickens, ducks, geese, parrots, parakeets, canaries, pigeons, and other animals where a scoopable and/or replaceable litter composition may be useful for sanitary purposes or the like. The compositions of this invention are particularly suitable for use as cat litters.

[0061] As noted above, the present disclosure also provides methods for improving odor control in animal litter compositions and methods of preparing animal litter compositions having improved odor control. The methods disclosed herein can advantageously provide animal litter compositions having reduced ammonia generation characteristics when compared to other litter compositions that have not been configured according to the present disclosure. For example, the methods disclosed herein can be effective to provide ammonia mitigation in animal litter compositions (e.g., to thereby reduce an amount of ammonia gas released from a surface of the animal litter composition after the animal litter composition comes into contact with the ammonia compounds.). In some embodiments, animal litter compositions prepared according to the methods described herein may be effective to reduce an amount of ammonia gas released from a surface of the animal litter composition by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 50%, or at least about 75%, relative to an animal litter of identical composition, but that does not include the manganese salt.

[0062] In some embodiments, the disclosure provides methods of improving odor control in an animal litter composition by providing an animal litter composition (e.g., including at least a liquid absorbing material as described herein) so that it includes a metal salt (e.g., such as a manganese salt). Advantageously, the presence of the manganese salt in the animal litter composition is effective to react with ammonia compounds that come into contact with the animal litter composition and thereby reduce an amount of ammonia gas released from a surface of the animal litter composition after the animal litter composition comes into contact with the ammonia compounds. In certain embodiments, for example, the presence of the manganese salt in the animal litter composition is effective to reduce an amount of ammonia gas released from a surface of the animal litter composition by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 50%, or at least about 75%, relative to an animal litter of identical composition, but that does not include the manganese salt.

[0063] As noted herein, the animal litter composition may be provided as a plurality of particles of a liquid absorbing material. In such embodiments, the particles of the liquid absorbing material are contacted with a content of a solution comprising the manganese salt in an aqueous solvent so that the manganese salt at least partially coats the particles of the liquid absorbing material. Typically, the manganese salt is manganese chloride and the aqueous solvent is water; however, other manganese salts and/or other solvents are possible. In some embodiments, the manganese salt solution may be applied to the plurality of particles at a certain concentration. For example, as noted above, the solution may include a concentration of the metal salt of at least about 0.1% by weight, at least about 1% by weight, at least about 2% by weight, at least about 4% by weight, at least about 6% by weight, at least about 8% by weight, or at least about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the metal salt solution. In some embodiments, the metal salt may include a concentration of the metal salt in the range of about 0.1% to about 20% by weight, about 0.5% to about 15% by weight, or about 1% to about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the metal solution.

[0064] In further embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods for preparing animal litter compositions having improved odor control and ammonia mitigation. One method of preparing an animal litter composition according to the disclosure includes combining particles of a liquid absorbing material (e.g., such as a clay-based material, a non-clay based material, or a combination thereof) with a metal salt (e.g., such as a manganese salt) such that the metal salt at least partially coats, individually, at least a portion of the particles of the liquid absorbing material. As noted herein, animal litter compositions according to the disclosure may also include one or more additives therein. For example, in some embodiments, the particles of the liquid absorbing material including the manganese salt may be combined with one or more additives selected from the group consisting of fillers, clumping agents, de-dusting agents, fragrances, bicarbonates, binders, and preservatives.

[0065] In one or more embodiments, the manganese salt may be provided as a solution of the manganese salt in an aqueous solvent. As noted herein, the concentration of the manganese salt in the solution may vary (e.g., the solution may include about 0.1% to about 10% manganese salt by weight, based on the total weight of the manganese salt solution). In some embodiments, the solution is combined with the particles of the liquid absorbing material in a sufficient amount so that the manganese salt is present in the animal litter composition in an amount of at least about 0.005% by dry weight, based on the total dry weight of the coated liquid absorbing material. When the manganese salt is applied to the particles of liquid absorbing material as a solution, it may also be necessary to dry the treated liquid absorbing material for a period of time to remove any excess moisture therefrom. The amount of time and/or the temperature of such a drying step may vary and is generally understood to be an amount of time sufficient to remove any excess moisture from the animal litter composition.

EXPERIMENTAL

[0066] Aspects of the present invention are more fully illustrated by the following examples, which are set forth to illustrate certain aspects of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting thereof.

[0067] Example 1

[0068] Testing was carried out to analyze the ammonia mitigation efficiency of animal litters that had been treated with different metal salt solutions. The animal litter compositions included 10 g of vermiculite treated with various metal salt solutions. The metal salt solutions tested included barium chloride (BaCl.sub.2), calcium chloride (CaCl.sub.2), copper chloride (CuCl.sub.2), iron chloride (FeCl.sub.3), manganese chloride (MnCl.sub.2), magnesium chloride (MgCl.sub.2), strontium chloride (SrCl.sub.2), zinc chloride (ZnCl.sub.2), sodium bromide (NaBr), copper sulfate (CuSO.sub.4), and zinc sulfate (ZnSO.sub.4)

[0069] The animal litter compositions were prepared by spraying 50 g of a metal salt solution (e.g., including a metal salt in solution with water) onto 25 g of vermiculite clay and mixing the treated vermiculite to ensure homogenous application of the salt solution thereon. Separate samples were prepared using a solution of each of the metal salts described herein. The treated vermiculite samples were then dried overnight in a force draft oven set at 54° C. The mass of the vermiculite and the concentration of the deposited salt solution was known to allow for accurate calculation of the amount of metal salt deposited on the vermiculite clay. The concentration of the metal salt solutions was about 20 mM.

[0070] After drying of the treated vermiculite samples, a mass of 10 g of each of the treated vermiculite samples were placed in 250 mL Erlenmeyer flasks. Each flask contained about 0.04 millimoles of the metal salt per gram of vermiculite (e.g., about 0.4 mM metal salt in the 10 g sample). Next, a small vial containing 1 mL of ammonium hydroxide (NH.sub.3OH) was placed on top of the treated vermiculite samples in each Erlenmeyer flask and the flasks were sealed with a one-hole rubber stopper containing a diffusion Drager tube that was sensitive to ammonia (e.g., commercially available from Dragerwerk AG & Co., Lubeck, Germany). A schematic view of the experimental setup (e.g., including a treated vermiculite sample and a vial of ammonium hydroxide within an Erlenmeyer flask having a rubber stopper containing a diffusion Drager tube therein) is provided, for example, in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the experimental setup 100 provides a mass of vermiculite 105 that has been treated with a metal salt positioned within a 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask 110. In addition, a vial 115 containing 1 mL of ammonium hydroxide is placed on top of the treated vermiculite 105 such that ammonia vapors generated from the vial 115 are allowed to freely move within a headspace 120 directly above the treated vermiculite 105. Finally, a one-hole rubber stopper 125 is positioned proximate the top portion of the Erlenmeyer flask 110 to seal the opening in the flask. As noted herein, a diffusion Drager tube 130 that is sensitive to ammonia can be positioned in contact with the one-hole rubber stopper 125 to indicate a degree of ammonia exposure within the flask 110.

[0071] For example, the Drager tubes contained an indicator formula that changes from yellow to violet as the ammonia gas in the Erlenmeyer flask diffuses into the tube and reacts with the indicator material. Calibrated marks along the side of the Drager tube indicated the cumulative ammonia exposure. The extent of the color change was tracked with time and plotted to compare the efficacy of each treated sample. Each treated vermiculite sample was prepared as described herein above and observed in duplicate and the average reading was plotted as a function of elapsed time, for example, as depicted in FIGS. 2-4. In addition, each tested sample was compared to a control sample that consisted of 10 g of vermiculite that was treated with a content of deionized water instead of a metal salt solution. Note that measurements above 1500 ppm/h are extrapolated in the data provided in FIGS. 2-4 because the calibration marks on the Drager tube end at 1500 ppm/h, well before the indicator level. The 1500 ppm/h indicator level is shown in FIGS. 2-4 by a dashed line labelled “Limit of tube graduations.”

[0072] FIG. 2 illustrates a plot of the ammonia concentration (in ppm/h) present in a headspace at or above the surface of the samples of treated vermiculite, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the first round of samples prepared and tested included vermiculite clay samples treated, individually, with about 0.04 mM/g of vermiculite of one of barium chloride, calcium chloride, iron chloride, magnesium chloride, strontium chloride, or sodium bromate; and a control sample treated with deionized water. As shown in FIG. 2 each of the treated sample demonstrated a significant reduction in the ammonia concentration within the flask when compared to the control sample that was simply treated with deionized water. In particular, the samples treated with iron chloride demonstrated the most significant reduction in ammonia concentration. However, each sample measured in FIG. 2 demonstrated a reduction of ammonia concentration of at least about 50% less than the ammonia concentration in the headspace above the control sample. The representative data from FIG. 2 is presented in Table 1 below. It should be noted that the Drager tube popped out of the stoppers after approximately one night for the MgCl.sub.2 samples resulting in no measurements after the first day. Thus, MgCl.sub.2 samples were tested again during subsequent experiments as detailed herein.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Control Elapsed (untreated) BaCl.sub.2 FeCl.sub.2 NaBr CaCl.sub.2 SrCl.sub.2 MgCl.sub.2 Time ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm (Minutes) Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 202 637.5 525 465 520 450 475 400 237 800 625 525 650 540 550 500 332 875 687.5 575 700 575 600 550 1354 1850 1150 787.5 1050 850 975 — 1529 1900 1237.5 787.5 1050 887.5 1012.5 — 1782 1950 1325 787.5 1100 912.5 1090 —

[0073] FIG. 3 illustrates a plot of the ammonia concentration (in ppm/h) present in a headspace at or above the surface of samples of a treated animal litter composition, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the second round of samples prepared and tested included vermiculite clay samples treated, individually, with about 0.04 mM/g vermiculite of one of magnesium chloride, manganese chloride, or zinc chloride; and a control sample treated with deionized water. Additionally, the second round of samples were tested over longer periods of time (e.g., up to 3 days) and periodic measurements were taken from the Drager tube. As shown in FIG. 3 each of the treated samples demonstrated a significant reduction in the ammonia concentration within the flask when compared to the control sample that was simply treated with deionized water. In particular, the samples treated with manganese and zinc chloride demonstrated the most significant reduction in ammonia concentration over time. However, each sample measured in FIG. 3 demonstrated a reduction of the ammonia concentration in the headspace at or above the surface of the treated vermiculite sample of at least about 50% after 1 day, and at least 75% after 2 or more days, when compared to the ammonia concentration in the headspace at or above the surface of the control sample. The representative data from FIG. 3 is presented in Table 2 below.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Control Elapsed (untreated) MnCl.sub.2 ZnCl.sub.2 MgCl.sub.2 Time ppm ppm ppm ppm (Minutes) Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia 0 0 0 0 0 61 262.5 150 150 150 147 600 362.5 387.5 395 233 825 487.5 500 525 278 895 525 550 575 348 1000 587.5 580 637.5 419 1112.5 600 625 637.5 1366 1650 700 687.5 800 1536 1750 700 712.5 812.5 1766 1900 700 712.5 825 2905 2300 750 737.5 882.5

[0074] FIG. 4 illustrates a plot of the ammonia concentration (in ppm/h) present in a headspace at or above the surface of samples of a treated animal litter composition, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the third round of samples prepared and tested included vermiculite clay samples treated, individually, with about 0.04 mM/g vermiculite of one of zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, copper chloride, or iron chloride; and a control sample treated with deionized water. Likewise, the third round of samples were tested over longer periods of time (e.g., up to 3 days) and periodic measurements were taken from the Drager tube. As shown in FIG. 4 each of the treated samples demonstrated a significant reduction in the ammonia concentration within the flask when compared to the control sample that was simply treated with deionized water. In particular, the samples treated with iron chloride once again demonstrated the most significant reduction in ammonia concentration over time. However, each sample measured in FIG. 4 demonstrated a reduction of the ammonia concentration in the headspace at or above the surface of the treated vermiculite sample of at least about 50% after 1 day, and at least about 75% after 2 or more days, when compared to the ammonia concentration in the headspace at or above the surface of the control sample. The representative data from FIG. 4 is presented in Table 3 below.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Control Elapsed (untreated) ZnSO.sub.4 CuSO.sub.4 CuCl.sub.2 FeCl.sub.3 Time ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm (Minutes) Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia Ammonia 0 0 0 0 0 0 48 100 82.5 70 82.5 62.5 93 290 207.5 165 195 150 161 495 325 300 305 250 216 637.5 362.5 350 387.5 332.5 292 775 425 407.5 462.5 392.5 1322 2150 537.5 525 562.5 512.5 1443 2300 537.5 562.5 562.5 525 1659 2400 537.5 562.5 562.5 525 1758 2500 537.5 562.5 576 525 3237 2700 537.5 562.5 575 525

[0075] FIG. 5 illustrates a plot of the ammonia concentration (in ppm/h) present in a headspace at or above the surface of animal litter compositions that have been treated with varying concentrations of manganese chloride, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the fourth round of samples prepared and tested included vermiculite clay samples treated, individually, with varying concentrations of a manganese salt solution (e.g., including 0.7 mg, 5.2 mg, 19.8 mg, 40.7 mg, and 80.6 mg of the manganese salt solution); and a control sample treated with deionized water. Likewise, the third round of samples were tested over longer periods of time (e.g., up to 3 days) and periodic measurements were taken from the Drager tube. As shown in FIG. 5 each of the treated samples demonstrated a significant reduction in the ammonia concentration within the flask when compared to the control sample that was simply treated with deionized water. In particular, the samples treated with 40.7 mg and 80.6 mg of the manganese salt solution, respectively, demonstrated the most significant reduction in ammonia concentration over time. However, each sample measured in FIG. 5 demonstrated a reduction of the ammonia concentration in the headspace at or above the surface of the treated vermiculite sample of at least about 25% after 1 day, and at least about 50% after 2 or more days, when compared to the ammonia concentration in the headspace at or above the surface of the control sample. The representative data from FIG. 5 is presented in Table 4 below.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Control 0.7 mg 5.2 mg 19.8 mg 40.7 mg 80.6 mg (untreated) MnCl.sub.2 MnCl.sub.2 MnCl.sub.2 MnCl.sub.2 MnCl.sub.2 Elapsed ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm ppm Time Am- Am- Am- Am- Am- Am- (Minutes) monia monia monia monia monia monia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 61 150 137.5 185 195 107.5 132.5 114 337.5 245 307.5 290 195 232.5 182 445 412.5 465 425 300 325 265 575 475 550 507.5 400 400 337 675 550 625 562.5 437.5 475 442 787.5 600 712.5 612.5 482.5 512.5 1412 1450 775 957.5 775 625 675 1586 1550 800 970 787.5 625 700 1839 1700 835 995 812.5 637.5 725 1910 1725 835 1000 812.5 637.5 737.5 2852 2050 932.5 1150 862.5 700 862.5 3015 2150 937.5 1150 862.5 700 875

[0076] Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosures pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.