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

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.