Investigating the impact of adsorbent particle size on column adsorption kinetics through a mathematical model

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

Publication Date

1-1-2024

Abstract

Experimental data demonstrates that the breakthrough curves of column adsorption exhibit qualitative differences related to the size of the adsorbent particles. Standard models do not account for particle size, consequently, in this paper we develop a new formulation that incorporates the diffusion of the adsorbate into the adsorbent particles. Two kinetic models are considered, Langmuir adsorption and a linear driving force. Approximate analytical solutions are developed for these two models coupled to mass flow and intra-particle diffusion equations. The accuracy of the analytical solutions is verified through comparison with numerical solutions of the full mathematical model. Comparison with experimental data confirms that the new analytical solutions show better agreement than previous models. However, in certain cases, neither form of model predicts the behaviour suggesting a combination of different effects contribute to the breakthrough form.

ISSN

0017-9310

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Volume

218

Disciplines

Life Sciences

Keywords

Adsorption, Advection-diffusion, Contaminant removal, Mathematical model, Pollutant removal, Scale-up, Travelling wave

Scopus ID

85173144085

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Bronze: This publication is openly available on the publisher’s website but without an open license

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