Particle Size and Shape Effects on Adsorption Rate Parameters

Abstract

Individual carbon particles were examined using a Quantimet‐720‐23A programmable and computerized image analyzer to determine their size and shape characteristics. Particles in a given sieve size fraction are well represented by the log‐normal distribution. The use of the Sauter mean of particle diameters from projected area measurements is recommended to account for the effects due to the variations in particle size and shape. The solid phase diffusion coefficient estimated from batch reactor analysis, is found to be invariant with this particle diameter. Power‐law correlations are developed to indicate the effect of batch adsorber parameters and particle size on the external mass transfer coefficient.