plot of the concentration profile of adsorbate in the fluid phase as a function of distance along

the adsorbent bed.

Upstream of the profile (also known as mass transfer wave), the adsorbent is saturated (in
equilibrium) with the adsorbate, i.e. the adsorbent is spent.
Downstream of the profile, the adsorbent is still adsorbate-free.
The leading point of the wave is zero if the adsorbent is initially completely free from the
adsorbate.
The tail end of the wave is at CF (the feed solute concentration in the feed) at the entrance of the
bed.
At time t, no part of the bed is saturated. From t to t!, the wave had moved down the bed.
At time t!, the bed is almost saturated for a distance "#, but is still clean at "F. "ittle adsorption
occurs beyond "F at time t!, and the adsorbent is still unused. The MTZ where adsorption takes
place is the re$ion between "# and "F,
At time t%, the wave has moved throu$h the bed, with the leading point of the MTZ just reaches
the end of the bed. This is known as the breakthrough point. the breakthrou$h concentration
can be taken as the minimum detectable or maimum allowable solute concentration in the
effluent fluid,.
As breakthrou$h continues the concentration of the adsorbate in the effluent increases $radually
up to the feed value CF. &hen this has occurred no more adsorption can take place in the bed.
ratio of outlet solute concentration to inlet solute concentration in the fluid as a function of
time from the start of flow. The #'shaped curve is called the breakthrough cur!e.
(rior to t%, the outlet solute concentration is less than the maimum allowable of "#"$. At t%, this
value is reached, and the adsorption step should be discontinued.
the outlet solute concentration will rise rapidly, eventually approachin$ the inlet concentration as
entire bed become saturated. The time re)uired to each Cout*CF + ,.-. is desi$nated t/.
The steepness of the breakthrou$h curve determines the etent to which the capacit% of an
adsorbent bed can be utilised. Thus, the shape of the curve is very important in determinin$ the
len$th of the adsorption bed.