The adsorption and desorption characteristics of the cellulose/water vapor system above 50C̊

A flow apparatus was constructed and used to determine some adsorption/desorption characteristics of a water vapor/cellulose system for the temperature range of 343-363 K. The mass transfer zone heights, heats of adsorption, mass transfer coefficients, and adsorption/desorption isotherms were determined. Two independent methods were used for data analysis : the areas under the breakthrough curves (AUC) were determined then used to calculate the amount of water adsorbed, the second "simple" method was weighing the adsorption column (WGT) before and after each experimental run. A modified Henderson's equilibrium equation was used to correlate the experimental data. Calculated values for the heats of adsorption. 11.6-14.8 kcal/mol. are similar to those previously reported for a physical adsorption process. A rigorous method for determining the mass transfer coefficients for this system is given. These data extend knowledge of the equilibrium behavior of water and cellulose to temperatures encountered in the selective adsorption of water from alcohol mixtures.