2. Adsorption isotherms

The ability of adsorbents to adsorb the various constituents of a mixture is the most important factor determining the performance of most adsorption processes. A thorough understanding of the adsorbate-adsorbent equilibrium properties is therefore essential for the correct design and dimensioning of adsorption processes.

The quantities adsorbed at equilibrium for an adsorbate-adsorbent system are generally characterized by adsorption isotherms determined at a given temperature: