Sorption of SO2 and NO by Modified Palm Shell Activated Carbon: Breakthrough Curve Model

Simultaneous removal of SO2 and NO from simulated flue gas by cerium oxide supported over palm shell activated carbon (Ce/PSAC) was studied in a fixed bed adsorber. In this study, the adsorption breakthrough of SO2 and NO on Ce/PSAC at different reaction temperatures was manipulated to test their applicability to a model developed by Yoon and Nelson (1984) for breakthrough curves. Yoon and Nelson (1984) developed a relatively simple model addressing the adsorption and breakthrough of adsorbate vapour with respect to activated charcoal. This model was based on the assumption that the rate of decrease in the probability of adsorption for each adsorbate molecule is proportional to the probability of adsorbate adsorption and the probability of adsorbate breakthrough on the adsorbent. A regression analysis (least square method) has been used to give the model parameters of k and t1/2. The results showed that the agreement between the model and the experimental results is satisfactory. From the observation, it is concluded that the simple two-parameter model of Yoon and Nelson’s model can be applied for modelling the breakthrough curves of SO2 and NO gas adsorption over Ce/PSAC.