Figure2. The thermodynamic diagrams for the system in terms of (a) x-y diagram and (b) ternary and residue curve map
Figure 4 plots components and temperature profile for the system under study. Figure 4a shows that as time progresses, ethanol and diethyl ether are adsorbed on activated carbon surface and no comparable VOCs is seen in outlet of the bed. As time proceeds, more VOCs are presented in outlet of the bed and finally all surfaces of activated carbon are equipped and it no longer adsorbs impurities. Then, breakthrough happens and the bed saturates till same input and output concentration for VOCs is seen. Before breakthrough happening, the adsorption stage should be terminated and regeneration of activated carbon should be conducted. For mixture adsorption, it is seen that ethanol is more adsorbed on activated carbon than diethyl ether under same adsorption condition and accordingly, ethanol breakthrough happen after diethyl ether.