Adsorption isotherms of m-xylene on activated carbon: measurements and correlation with different models

In this study, adsorption isotherms of m-xylene on activated carbon were me asured by time integration of the breakthrough curves at T = (298.15, 308.1 5, 318.15, and 333.15) K using home-made apparatus developed fur this purpo se. At the temperature 333.15 K, isotherms were also measured using a micro balance in order to check the accuracy of the proposed apparatus. As expect ed, in keeping with the principle of Le Chatelier, the m-xylene loadings we re observed to decrease with increasing temperature. Activated carbon was used as the adsorbent because it typically exhibits hi gh adsorption capacities and shows potential as an adsorbent to effectively remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as m-xylene. In a second step, the experimental data obtained were correlated with diffe rent existing adsorption isotherm models such as the Langmuir model, the Fr eundlich model, and the Dubinin equation. The Langmuir model was found to b e well adapted to describe the adsorption of in-xylene onto activated carbo n. (C) 2000 Academic Press.