Simple Procedure to Estimate Mass Transfer Coefficients from Uptake Curves on Activated Carbons

A method based on the linear driving force (LDF) approximation is described to estimate the mass transfer coefficient of molecules adsorbing onto microporous carbons, by using independently measured uptake data. This parameter was determined from uptake curves derived from pressure increments during the measurement of isotherm data. To validate the method, simulations for batch uptake were performed and compared to the experimental data in order to obtain the values for the LDF constants. Such values were applied to predict breakthrough curves and compared to experimental data. The proposed method to estimate the LDF coefficient can be adequate to obtain a more physically meaningful value of the mass transfer coefficient.