Optimal Adsorbent: Basic Requirements
Yu. I. Aristov · 2020
The selection of a proper sorbent is a complex problem even for common applications. This chapter discusses thermodynamic and dynamic requirements for adsorbents optimal for various applications. The rational basis for the target-oriented design of sorbents should rely on fundamentals of theoretical surface chemistry and adsorption theory. Drying apparatus is commonly a fixed bed adsorber with periodic thermal regeneration of adsorbent. The main requirements for optimal adsorbents are large dynamic water capacity, low dew point at the adsorber outlet, and low regeneration temperature. The conversion of reactants in many important catalytic processes is limited by the chemical equilibrium of the reversible reaction. The thermodynamic demands designate the sorption properties of the optimal adsorbent in equilibrium conditions. To reach the equilibrium, the sorption process has to be sufficiently fast, which imposes specific conditions on dynamic properties of the optimal adsorbent and process arrangement.