Intraparticle adsorbate concentration profile for linear driving force model

Removal of Methylene Blue from Wastewater by Waste Roots from the Arsenic-Hyperaccumulator Pteris vittata: Fixed Bed Adsorption Kinetics

Phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated water was successfully conducted by means of the perennial fern Pteris vittate, which is an arsenic-hyperaccumulator plant able to grow in hydroponic cultures. In order to avoid the costs linked to the disposal of As-contaminated biomass, in this work, Pteris vittata waste roots were tested as a low-cost bio-adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from water in a fixed-bed adsorption configuration. As a matter of fact, methylene blue can negatively impact the growth and health of algae and plants by blocking light from reaching them in water, which can alter their normal biological processes. Previous works have already shown the potentiality of such material toward the uptake of methylene blue; however, all the studies conducted were just focused on batch-mode experiments. In this work, column runs were carried out at 20 °C, evaluating the bed void fraction for each test and hence estimating the apparent density of the material (300 g/L). The breakthrough curves collected were fitted by means of a mathematical model based on the linear driving force (LDF) approximation to obtain information on the mass transfer mechanism occurring in the system. A relation for the product between the LDF mass transfer coefficient and the solid specific surface (kLDFas) with respect to the Reynolds (Re) dimensionless number was obtained (kLDFas=0.45Re). The range of validity of such expression was Re<0.025. Its applicability was deeply discussed: in such conditions, the technology is ready to be tested at larger scales.

Analysis of commonly used batch adsorption kinetic models derived from mass transfer-based modelling

Modelling of liquid-solid batch adsorption based on mass transfer and conservation equations results in differential equations that may have or not an analytical solution. Even when analytical solutions are available, several simplified models can be considered for evaluating kinetic data of batch adsorption experiments. However, these simplified models are commonly used regardless of the premises considered in its development, and the analysis of the kinetic experiments based on these simplified models may be severely compromised. For this reason, this work presents a detailed development of the phenomenological models, and the hypotheses considered in its development are clearly stated. Typical simplified models derived from the phenomenological ones are obtained, and the conditions considered in the simplification are critically assessed. It was observed that the simplified models fail mainly for considering the concentration of the bulk phase constant over time or considering a linear adsorption isotherm. It must be emphasised that even when phenomenological models must be solved through numerical procedures, its use must be preferred, since the agreement with model premises and experimental conditions are closer, ensuring the quality of the kinetic data analysis.

Steam adsorption on molecular sieve 3A for sorption enhanced reaction processes

Steam adsorption enhanced reaction processes are a promising process intensification for many types of reactions, where water is formed as a byproduct. To assess the potential of these processes, adequate models are required that accurately describe water adsorption, particularly under the desired elevated temperatures and pressures. In this work, an adsorption isotherm is presented for H2O adsorption at 200–350 °C and 0.05–4.5 bar partial pressure on molecular sieve (LTA) 3A. The isotherm has been developed on the basis of experimental data obtained from a thermogravimetric analysis and integrated breakthrough curves. The experimental data at lower steam partial pressures can be described with a Generalized Statistical Thermodynamic Adsorption (GSTA) isotherm, whereas at higher steam partial pressures the experimental data can be adequately captured by capillary condensation. Based on the characteristics of the adsorbent particles, a linear driving force relation has been derived for the adsorption mass transfer rate and the apparent micropore diffusivity is determined. The isotherm and mass transport model presented here prove to be adequate for modelling and improved evaluation of steam adsorption enhanced reaction processes.

Variable diffusivity homogeneous surface diffusion model and analysis of merits and fallacies of simplified adsorption kinetics equations

Adsorption and ion exchange phenomena are encountered in several separation processes, which in turn, are of vital importance across various industries. Although the literature on adsorption kinetics modeling is rich, the majority of the models employed are empirical, based on chemical reaction kinetics or oversimplified versions of diffusion models. In this paper, the fifteen most popular simplified adsorption kinetics equations are presented and discussed. A new versatile variable-diffusivity two-phase homogeneous diffusion model is presented and used to evaluate the analytical adsorption models. Aspects of ion exchange kinetics are also addressed.

Two-dimensional modeling of volatile organic compounds adsorption onto beaded activated carbon

A two-dimensional heterogeneous computational fluid dynamics model was developed and validated to study the mass, heat, and momentum transport in a fixed-bed cylindrical adsorber during the adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from a gas stream onto a fixed bed of beaded activated carbon (BAC). Experimental validation tests revealed that the model predicted the breakthrough curves for the studied VOCs (acetone, benzene, toluene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene) as well as the pressure drop and temperature during benzene adsorption with a mean relative absolute error of 2.6, 11.8, and 0.8%, respectively. Effects of varying adsorption process variables such as carrier gas temperature, superficial velocity, VOC loading, particle size, and channelling were investigated. The results obtained from this study are encouraging because they show that the model was able to accurately simulate the transport processes in an adsorber and can potentially be used for enhancing absorber design and operation.