Sorption Kinetics of Gases in Heterogeneous Solids

Abstract

A general mathematical model comprising macropore, surface and micropore diffusions is used to describe the single and multicomponent sorption kinetics of gases in a heterogeneous activated carbon. Experimental data of ethane, propane and n-butane in Ajax activated carbon are used to validate the model. Both theoretical and experimental studies are done for single, binary and ternary systems. Three modes of operation, adsorption, desorption and displacement, are covered. Effects of energetic heterogeneity and the concentration dependency of the surface diffusivity on the predictions of multicomponent kinetics are studied.