A simple method for calculating the overall adsorption rate constant in the Wheeler-Jonas equation

Abstract

Use of the Wheeler-Jonas (WJ) equation to predict adsorbate breakthrough for a packed bed of granular activated carbon requires the calculation of the overall adsorption rate constant (kv) and the amount adsorbed. These quantities can be calculated from the intercept (A) and slope (B) of a linear fit to the elapsed time as a function of the logarithm of the ratio of the adsorbate concentration (C0 - Cx)/Cx based on the breakthrough curve. Because k