Equilibrium Adsorption of Phenol-, Tire-, and Coal-Derived Activated Carbons for Organic Vapors

Abstract

Adsorption isotherms for alkane, aromatic, and ketone vapors were determined for activated carbon fiber cloth, tire-derived activated carbon and coal-derived activated carbon adsorbents. Physical and chemical properties of the vapors and adsorbents were used to interpret these results that were obtained from 20 to 50°C, with a more limited data set at 125 and 175°C and relative pressures between 0 and 0.99. Fitted isotherms using the Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich adsorption models had mean total relative errors <5.6 and 9.2% for the microporous and mesoporous/macroporous adsorbents, respectively, at the temperature range from 20 to 50°C. The predictive direct quantitative structure activity relationship model had mean total relative errors <9.7 and 61% for the microporous and mesoporous/macroporous adsorbents, respectively, at the temperature range from 20 to 50°C without requiring experimental input.