Adsorption

Lecture Notes
 Contents

• Adsorption Operations
• Single Stage Operations
• Multi Stage Cross Current Operation
• Multi Stage Counter Current Operation
• Two Stage Counter Current Operation
• MTZ through an adsorbent bed
• Adsorption wave and Break Through Curve
 Adsorption operations:
a) Stage-wise operation
• Single stage operation.
• Multistage cross current operation.
• Multistage countercurrent operation
b) Continuous-contacting method
Single stage operation:
• Amount of adsorbed is very small
compared to amount of solution

• Solute to be removed is adsorbed

more strongly than other constituents
present

• Adsorption of other constituents can

be ignored

• Adsorbent is insoluble in solution

 Single Stage Operations
• Let, Ls is mass unadsorbed substance, Yo is initial solute conc.
• Ss is mass of adsorbent in adsorbate(Solute) free basis
• and Xo is initial solute conc.
• Xo= 0 if fresh adsorbent is used
 Single Stage Operations
If insufficient contact time is allowed,
equilibrium is not reached, final liquid
and solid concentration corresponds to
point A.
 Multi Stage Cross Current Operation

Solute Balance for Stage-1

Solute Balance for Stage-2

Multi Stage Cross Current Operation
Multi Stage Counter Current Operation
 Multi Stage Counter Current Operation

Operating line for minimum adsorbent requirement

 Two Stage Counter Current Operation

Solute Balance for Two Stage Counter

Current Operation

For Fresh Adsorbent

 Two Stage Counter Current Operation
Making Solute balance for Stage2

Equating value of slope

By above this equation the intermediate solute Concentration Y1 can be

calculated if Y0 and Y2 are specified.
 MTZ through an adsorbent bed
The zone in the adsorbent bed where 95 to 100% adsorption takes place is known
as the mass transfer zone (MTZ).
Factors that play important roles in dynamic adsorption, and the length and shape
of the mass transfer zone are:
(i) the type of the adsorbent
(ii) the particle size of the adsorbent, which is dependent on maximum allowable
pressure drop
(iii) the depth of the adsorbent bed and the fluid velocity
(iv) the temperature of the fluid stream and the adsorbent
(v) the concentration of the contaminants to be removed and not to be removed
(vi) the pressure of the system
(vii) the removal efficiency required
Adsorption in a fixed Bed and Break Through Curve
Thank You