Hydraulic Conditions During Liquid Flow Through Sorbent Materials

This contribution presents an experimental analysis of the static characteristics of selected sorbent materials under liquid flow conditions. The study focuses on cenospheres—lightweight microspherical particles formed as a by-product of coal combustion—tested in several distinct particle size fractions, as well as on a ceramic granulate of defined fraction. A dedicated experimental setup was constructed, featuring a modular filtration unit designed to ensure the stable placement of the sorbent material. The sorbent was secured within the filtration chamber using geotextile membranes. During the tests, flow rates and the corresponding pressure drops were systematically measured for each material fraction. Based on the collected data, characteristic curves showing pressure drop as a function of flow rate were plotted. The results enable a comparison of the hydraulic resistance of the individual sorbents depending on their size fractions. The measured data will further support the selection of optimal sorbent materials for filtration applications, with an emphasis on minimizing pressure losses and maximizing sorption capacity—aiming at the efficient design of energy-saving filtration systems.