which course covers sorption

by Oliver Breitenberg 3 min read

General information

As already explained in the section “ Breakthrough Curves “, the kinetics play a major role for the spreading of the mass transfer zone. Vice versa, results from dynamic sorption experiments can be used for the quantification of the sorption rate.

Mass transfer and Flow Rate Dependence in Breakthrough Curve Experiments

The shape of the breakthrough curves are mainly influenced by sorption rate or mass transfer from gas phase to the adsorption sites inside the adsorbent particles. Therefore, it is possible to quantify this parameter from the experimental breakthrough curves by applying different models.

Axial Dispersion and Flow Rate Dependence

If a fixed bed is charged with a gas mixture as a sharp step function, the response signal after passing the fixed bed will be broadened. This axial dispersion effect is not coupled by adsorption and can also observed by using inert material. The axial dispersion increases the unsymmetry of the breakthrough curve, which is shown in the next figure.

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