DIFFUSIVITIES OF CLAVULANIC ACID IN POROUS SORPTION SYSTEMS WITH ION-PAIRING

The diffusivity of clavulanic acid in different porous systems (Amberl ite IRA400, activated carbon and two ion-pair adsorption systems based on Amberlite XAD4 and activated carbon as matrixes and water-soluble quaternary ammonium salts as ion pairing substances) was investigated by batch adsorption experiments. The experimental data were described by using a model based on diffusion with instantaneous adsorption and/ or reaction in a homogeneous sphere and the effective diffusion coeffi cients were calculated under different operation conditions. The influ ence of sorbate concentration, temperature and competitive components on the diffusivities was discussed from the viewpoint of the ruling me chanisms. A comparison between the kinetic characteristics of the inve stigated systems showed that the ion-pair system XAD4-ABDA is the most advantageous for the adsorption of CA. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.