Unusual adsorber dynamics due to S-shaped equilibrium isotherm

A fixed bed adsorption study has been performed to investigate the effect o f S-shaped (Type V) equilibrium isotherm on the breakthrough patterns. The adsorption breakthrough data of benzene vapours on dealuminated zeolite Y w ere collected by using a lab-scale fixed bed apparatus. It was found that t he adsorption system, at influent concentrations from 100 to 5,000 ppm at 3 03 K, yields breakthrough curves of unusual shapes. A mathematical model wa s applied to predict the complex breakthrough patterns at various condition s. The experimental and modelling results suggest that the unusual breakthr ough curve is due to the basic shape of the equilibrium isotherm.