An adsorbent suitable for adsorption desalination cycles is essentially characterized by a hydrophilic and porous structure with high surface area where water molecules are adsorbed via hydrogen bonding mechanism. Silica gel type A++ possesses the highest surface area and exhibits the highest equilibrium uptake from all the silica gels available in the market, therefore being suitable for water desalination cycles; where adsorbent’s adsorption characteristics and water vapor uptake capacity are key parameters in the compactness of the system; translated as feasibility of water desalination through adsorption technologies. The adsorption characteristics of water vapor onto silica gel type A++ over a temperature range of 30 oC to 60 oC are investigated in this research. This is done using water vapor adsorption analyzer utilizing a constant volume and variable pressure method, namely the Hydrosorb-1000 instrument by Quantachrome. The experimental uptake data is studied using numerous isotherm models, i. e. the Langmuir, Tóth, generalized Dubinin-Astakhov (D-A), Dubinin-Astakhov based on pore size distribution (PSD) and Dubinin-Serpinski (D-Se) isotherm for the whole pressure range, and for a pressure range below 10 kPa, proper for desalination cycles; isotherms type V of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) classification were exhibited. It is observed that the D-A based on PSD and the D-Se isotherm models describe the best fitting of the experimental uptake data for desalination cycles within a regression error of 2% and 6% respectively. All isotherm models, except the D-A based on PSD, have failed to describe the obtained experimental uptake data; an empirical isotherm model is proposed by observing the behavior of Tóth and D-A isotherm models. The new empirical model describes the water adsorption onto silica gel type A++ within a regression error of 3%. This will aid to describe the advantages of silica gel type A++ for the design of adsorption desalination processes where reducing capital cost and footprint area are highly important parameters to take into account.

In this research, the adsorptive capacities of kenaf in the forms of chopped whole stalk, chopped core, and bast materials were evaluated for the removal of lead, zinc, and toluene from contaminated synthetic waste streams using traditional adsorption isotherm techniques. The effect of surface oxidation using ozone was observed with respect to the adsorption of metals. Hydraulic conductivity experiments were conducted to evaluate the head loss associated with packing a column with kenaf fibers and to determine the suitability of its use in dynamic packed column systems. B.E.T. surface areas were determined as well. Under increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, even low level organic and inorganic contamination (under 100 ppm) in surface and ground waters must be treated. This study is part of an ongoing multi-year research effort aiming to develop a kenaf-based biosorptive process to improve treatment of contaminated aqueous streams at reduced costs and technical complexity.