Adsorption equilibrium modeling for water on activated carbons

A new equation for describing adsorption equilibria of water on activated carbon is developed based on a mechanism proposed by Dubinin. It is Henry’s law consistent, mathematically simple, and explicit in pressure. The model describes the full range of the adsorption isotherm with high accuracy using only a small number of parameters. Adsorption equilibrium data for water on several activated carbons quite different in surface area, surface chemical properties, and pore structure are used to test the model. A two-variable series expansion is used to extend a single adsorption isotherm to an adsorption isotherm family at multiple temperatures. The model description of pure water adsorption isotherms at different temperatures on BPL activated carbon is in good agreement with experimental data.