Adsorption equilibria of nitrogen, methane, and ethane on BDH-activated carbon

The adsorption equilibria of methane, ethane, and nitrogen on BDH-activated carbon was measured using a volumetric adsorption apparatus in the temperature range of (30 to 60) degrees C for nitrogen and methane and (40 to 60) degrees C for ethane. The absolute pressures covered in the measurements were in the range of (0 to 5) atm for methane and ethane and (0 to 8) atm for nitrogen. Overall, the adsorption isotherms showed a standard Langmuir-type isotherm behavior and were fitted favorably to the Langmuir equation in a predictive form. The isosteric heats of adsorption for each component on BDH-activated carbon were estimated based on these fittings. The experimental data were also fitted collectively to the Dubinin-Radushkevich equation. The fitting was satisfactory, and the fitting parameters were consistent with the adsorption affinities and total pore volume obtained from the experimental data.