Comparison of Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium Models in the Simulation of Multicomponent Sorption Processes

A mathematical model has been developed to describe the process of equilibrium adsorption from a finite bath. A nonlinear Fritz-Schluender isotherm model was used to describe the equilibrium between solid and liquid phases. Finite-difference numerical solutions for single, binary, and ternary systems were obtained and shown to match previously published experimental data satisfactorily. These solutions were also compared with nonequilibrium models for the three cases. It was shown that the nonequilibrium model is superior to the equilibrium one since 1) it is applicable to both equilibrium and nonequilibrium conditions, 2) its computer program is general and can be used for any number of sorbates, 3) it can be used for any type of linear or nonlinear equilibrium isotherms without the need to any modifications in the program, and 4) its numerical solutions are of high accuracy compared to experimental data.