No time limit involved, and that will work fine for users that you haven't been approved yet. From my understanding he's looking for users already in the database and active, but have either never logged on, or were in the database already prior to when email validation was turned on.
Okay Rick I have a rebuttal on this issue.
In the language file "adduser.php" There is a field called "VERIFY".
In this field is the message"You need to verify your email to activate this account. You will receive an email shortly with instructions for verifying your email. If this account isn't verified within 24 hours it will be deleted."
Without looking any farther it appears something deletes the registration Que within 24 hours of the registration if not verified???