ADSORPTION INTERFERENCE IN MIXTURES OF ADSORBATE GASES FLOWING THROUGH ACTIVATED CARBON ADSORBER BEDS

Adsorption interference was studied in several binary mixtures and one ternary mixture of adsorbate gases in a helium carrier gas flowing through activated carbon adsorber beds at 25 degree C. Interference is manifested by a reduction of the adsorption capacity of each component in the mixture from the value for a pure adsorbate and an outlet concentration greater than the inlet concentration for the weaker adsorbing component until the stronger adsorbing component elutes. No interference effects were seen when both components of the mixture exhibit linear isotherms. The magnitude of the interference depends on the adsorption capacities and relative concentrations of the two components in the mixture.