Determination of the heat effects involved during toluene vapor adsorption and desorption from microporous activated carbon

In the present work the adsorption of toluene on microporous activated carbon was chosen as an illustrative example in order to show that different values of the heat effect might be obtained following the procedure used. Values ranging from 85 to 40 KJ/moL were obtained for the isosteric heat of adsorption at different adsorbate loadings using adsorption isotherm data measured under static conditions. However, the application of temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiments carried out under dynamic conditions yields apparent energy of desorption values that cannot be systematically correlated with the heat of adsorption which is a thermodynamic parameter relevant to the adsorption equilibrium. This issue is of interest because the use of accurate values of the heat of adsorption is important for the correct designing and operating of adsorption facilities.