How to Calculate and Interpret Adsorption Mass Transfer: An Integrated Framework for Kinetics, Diffusion, and Mechanistic Classification with a Practical Example

Abstract

Understanding adsorption mass transfer requires evaluating adsorption kinetics, external-film resistance, intraparticle diffusion, and equilibrium behavior. This study presents an integrated framework for calculating and interpreting adsorption mass transfer using kinetic models, Weber-Morris, Boyd, Fulazzaky, Nandiyanto classification, Furusawa-Smith, and diffusion analysis. An illustrative case is demonstrated to show the calculation procedures, involving ammonium adsorption onto corn-husk particles with different particle sizes and initial concentrations demonstrates. The framework connects concentration changes, adsorption capacity, mass-transfer resistance, mechanistic classification, and effective diffusivity with mechanistic illustrations. This approach provides a practical reference for systematically calculating, comparing, and interpreting adsorption mass-transfer behavior under different operating conditions.