Predicting the Multicomponent Removal of Surrogate Compounds by a Fixed‐Bed Adsorber

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Pore and surface diffusion mass transfer models were used to predict the breakthrough profiles of a 14‐component mixture eluting from a point‐of‐use fixed‐bed adsorber. The 14 compounds were surrogates, representing a variety of organics from different classes and groups commonly found in contaminated drinking water. Adsorption isotherms were done for all 14 compounds. Polanyi adsorption potential theory was used to correlate single‐solute isotherm parameters at 21°C and predict isotherm parameters at 6°C. Ideal adsorbed solution theory was used in the mass transfer models to correlate the single‐solute predicted isotherms at 6°C and calculate competitive interactions at the surface of the activated carbon.