Simplified Description of Adsorption Breakthrough Curves of 1,1-Dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b) on Activated Carbon with Temperature Effect

Recovery of HCFC-141b, used as a major alternative solvent and foam-blowing agent for CFCs in industrial applications, has received great attention due to its gradual phase out. This paper describes an investigation of the adsorption breakthrough of HCFC-141b vapor on a commercial activated carbon. A simple theoretical model developed by Yoon and Nelson was applied to investigate the breakthrough behavior of HCFC-141b on an activated carbon column. The values of parameters k' (a rate constant) and tau (the time required for 50% adsorbate breakthrough) in the Yoon and Nelson model were determined at four different concentration levels (i.e., 399, 734, 1139, and 1954 ppmv) and five temperature ranges (i.e., 283, 293, 298, 303, and 313 K), respectively. These values were used to calculate the entire (0-100%) breakthrough curve (plot of percentage breakthrough versus time) regarding the adsorption of HCFC-141b on activated carbon columns. It was found that the calculated theoretical breakthrough curves are in high agreement with the corresponding experimental data. Also, the rate constant k' can be reasonably represented by the empirical Arrhenius equation. The results obtained are applicable for the scale-up design of adsorption columns in the HCFC adsorption on activated carbon adsorbent. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.