Evaluating Multicomponent Competitive Adsorption in Fixed Beds

Abstract

An equilibrium column model (ECM) was developed to evaluate multicomponent competition in fixed‐bed adsorption columns. The model ignores mass transfer resistances and uses ideal adsorbed solution theory to predict the competitive effects in multicomponent mixtures. The bed capacities and effluent profiles that were calculated from the ECM were compared to single solute capacities, and capacities and effluent profiles found from a pilot plant study. The ECM was shown to be able to calculate the elution order of the adsorbates, the lowest carbon usage rate in multicomponent mixtures, and the highest possible effluent concentrations due to competitive adsorption. Also, the ECM can be used to reduce the number of components to be specified in models that incorporate mass transfer and to select compounds that are used in spiking studies.