Adsorption of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) mixtures onto activated carbon. Experimental study and simulation of multicomponent adsorption

In the present study, a simple mathematical model has been developed to simulate multicomponent fixed bed adsorption. The Linear Driving Force model is used to describe the intraparticle mass transfer. The competitive effect is accounted for through the multicomponent adsorption isotherm. This multicomponent equilibrium is described by the Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory (IAST). To apply this theory, pure component adsorption isotherm data are represented by the Freundlich equation on a piecewise basis. For the prediction, operating conditions (flow rates, bed depths, input concentrations) and some characteristics of activated carbon must be known. It is also necessary to have pure component isotherm data. To demonstrate the applicability of the model, fixed bed experiments were carried out using a ternary mixture, containing methylethylketone, ethylene chloride, methylene chloride. A good agreement between calculations and experiments was obtained.