A numerical modelling study of SO2 adsorption on activated carbons with new rate equations

Abstract

Modelling dynamic adsorption of sulfur dioxide (SO2) on activated carbons (ACs) is significant in guiding practical desulphurization processes and making highly efficient use of adsorbents in terms of the adsorption rate which largely depends on particle size. In this work, models derived from the Vermeulen and an improved linear driving force (LDF) rate equation were studied for the first time on SO2 adsorption over AC particles with different sizes. For larger particles (≥3 mm), breakthrough curves predicted by the Vermeulen equation showed good agreement with experimental data, demonstrating that intraparticle diffusion resistance varied with particle size, feed concentration, adsorption ..