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Isotherms Short Notes

An adsorption isotherm describes the equilibrium relationship between the amount of adsorbate on a solid and its concentration in the fluid at constant temperature. Various isotherm models, such as Langmuir, Freundlich, and BET, are used to simulate and optimize adsorption systems, predict capacity, and analyze surface characteristics. Practical application involves collecting equilibrium data, fitting isotherm equations, and selecting the best model based on accuracy and system behavior.

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72 views2 pages

Isotherms Short Notes

An adsorption isotherm describes the equilibrium relationship between the amount of adsorbate on a solid and its concentration in the fluid at constant temperature. Various isotherm models, such as Langmuir, Freundlich, and BET, are used to simulate and optimize adsorption systems, predict capacity, and analyze surface characteristics. Practical application involves collecting equilibrium data, fitting isotherm equations, and selecting the best model based on accuracy and system behavior.

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ishanhaofficeuse
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ISOTHERMS – Short Notes

What is an Isotherm?
An adsorption isotherm defines the equilibrium relationship between the
amount of adsorbate held by the solid phase (adsorbent) and the
concentration or partial pressure of that adsorbate in the fluid phase at
constant temperature.
mass of adsorbate
= f(p1, p2, … , pn)
mass of adsorbent
Why Use Isotherms?
 To simulate, design, or optimize adsorption systems (e.g. PSA, liquid-
phase adsorption, chromatography)
 To predict working capacity, saturation behavior, and selectivity
 Used in tools like Aspen Adsorption, Excel models, or lab data fitting

Common Isotherms & When to Use Them


Isotherm Equation (Simplified) Nature Use Case / Notes
Langmuir q = a*c / (1 + b*c) Semi-theoretical Monolayer adsorption;
moderate-high conc.; gas or
liquid
Dual Langmuir Sum of two Semi-theoretical Heterogeneous surface with
Langmuir terms two types of binding sites
Linear (Henry) q = H*c Empirical Low concentration; initial
loading region only
BET Multilayer extension Theoretical Multilayer adsorption; gas-
of Langmuir phase surface area analysis
Freundlich q = h*c^(1/n) Empirical Heterogeneous surfaces; no
saturation; liquid/biological
Sips q = (a*c^n)/(1 + Semi-empirical Wide range; Freundlich at
b*c^n) low c, Langmuir at high c
Tóth q = h*c / (a + c)^(1/n) Empirical Gas-phase; good low-
pressure fit; PSA modeling
Isotherm Equation Variable Abbreviations
Symbol Meaning
q Amount of adsorbate adsorbed per unit mass of adsorbent (e.g. mg/g)
c Concentration of adsorbate in fluid phase (liquid: mg/L, gas: mol/L or bar)
p Partial pressure of adsorbate (in gas-phase models)
a Langmuir affinity constant (related to adsorption strength)
b Langmuir equilibrium constant (related to site saturation)
H Henry’s law constant (Linear isotherm)
h Freundlich constant (capacity term)
n Freundlich exponent (represents surface heterogeneity)
Kₛ BET adsorption equilibrium constant (for first layer)
Kᴸ BET Langmuir-type constant
qₘ Maximum adsorption capacity (monolayer loading limit)
α, β Dual-site Langmuir constants for second type of adsorption site
N_C Number of components (used in competitive or multicomponent models)
Quick Selection Guide
 Low concentration, dilute system: Linear / Henry
 Monolayer adsorption, moderate conc.: Langmuir
 Heterogeneous surface, no saturation: Freundlich
 Full-range (low + high conc.), gas/liquid: Sips
 Surface characterization (BET area): BET (Gas phase only)
 PSA systems with low-pressure sensitivity: Tóth or Dual Langmuir
 Biological systems, protein adsorption: Freundlich / Sips

How to Use in Practice


1. Collect equilibrium data: (q vs. c or q vs. p)
2. Fit isotherm equation: Use Excel, MATLAB, or Aspen to estimate
constants
3. Select best-fit model based on:
- R² value (fit accuracy)
- Physical behavior of the system
- Operating range (concentration/pressure)

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