Diffusion and adsorption measurements in porous solids by inverse gas chromatography

The new inverse gas chromatography methodology of reversed-flow gas chromatography has been applied to measure diffusion and adsorption in porous solids. The theoretical analysis leads to equations describing the experimental data with very few approximations. From these, the total overall rate constant of transference (k = k(R) + k(2)), its probable error, the diffusion coefficient (D(1)) into porous solids (alpha-alumina and gamma-alumina), and its probable error are calculated by means of a simple PC program. The methodology was applied to pentane, hexane, and heptane diffusing into porous alpha- and gamma-alumina at various temperatures. A comparison of the results is made with those obtained by the Knudsen formula and with those of other researchers.