Physical waves in adsorption technology - an overview

The following article provides an overview about the state of the art and research activities in the field of new regeneration methods for loaded adsorbents. These new methods use electromagnetic as well as mechanical waves to enhance desorption. In gas-phase-adsorption research focuses on microwaves. After a brief description of the basics of microwaves, the mechanisms of microwave desorption are discussed and the technology is compared to conventional TSA-technology. First industrial installations for drying of air and recovery of solvents/volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are reported. In liquid phase the use of ultrasonication is discussed. Based on a brief description of the basics adsorbent stability as well as the influence of ultrasound on thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption are investigated. The scientific results give split prospects for possible industrial applications in purification of water and pharmaceutical industry. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.