The adsorption process of HF on wood chips in a packed-bed reactor was
studied. Two adsorption rate limiting mechanisms exist for this proce
ss, namely HF supply control and intrinsic adsorption control. In the
initial period of this process, the adsorption rate is determined by t
he HF supply rate; after the initial period, the adsorption rate is de
termined by the intrinsic adsorption rate. Consequently, the HF loadin
g profile for this adsorption process includes two distinct parts: an
initial linear part and a following non-linear part, corresponding to
the two different rate limiting mechanisms. This conceptual model of H
F adsorption in the packed-bed reactor was supported by experimental o
bservations from a bench-scale, packed-bed reactor. Based on this conc
eptual model, a mathematical model was developed to predict the HF loa
ding for a given adsorption time under given operating conditions. To
demonstrate its application, the mathematical model was used to analyz
e the effect of the heat dissipation rate of the reactor on the adsorp
tion process.