Adsorption Equilibria of the Organic Acids on Activated Carbon at Various Temperatures

Abstract

Adsorption equilibria of acetic, propionic, crotonic, oxalic, succinic, itaconic, maleic, lactic and citric acids on activated carbon were measured at 283, 303 and 323 K, over a wide concentration range. The amounts of organic acid adsorbed decreased with increasing temperature. The results in the low concentration range were explained on the basis of the Langumuir adsorption isotherm. The B.E.T. adsorption isotherm, howerer, explained the adsorption results over an entire concentration range. The monolayer and multilayer adsorption constants decreased with increasing adsorption temperature, and were influenced by the hydrophobic properties of the organic acid. © 1994, The Society of Chemical Engineers, Japan. All rights reserved.