Surface Chemistry
5.0 Applications of Adsorption
5.0 Applications of Adsorption
1. Refining of petroleum, vegetable oils and sugar solution
Refining of petroleum and vegetable oils with Fuller's earth or decolorisation of sugar solution with activated charcoal is due to adsorption of coloring materials by these adsorbents.
2. In preserving vacuum
In Dewar flask activated charcoal is placed between the walls of the flask so that any gas which enters annular space is adsorbed.
3. In gas mask
All gas masks are devices containing suitable adsorbent like activated charcoal, activated alumina, silicate etc. present in the atmosphere.
4. Catalysis
In a number of industrial processes, the catalytic action of a catalyst is due to adsorption of the reactants on the catalyst surface.
5. Dyeing
In dyeing with the help of a mordant, the dye is adsorbed by the mordant.
6. Chromatography
This method of separation is based on the differential adsorption of the different constituents of a mixture on an adsorbent. The important adsorbants are alumina, magnesium oxide, silica gel etc.
7. Separation of rare gases
Different inert gases are adsorbed to different extents at different temperatures on coconut charcoal. This forms the basis of their separation from a mixture.
8. Adsorption indicators
Various dyes, which owe their use to adsorption, have been introduced as indicators particularly in precipitation titrations.
9. During arsenic poisoning
10. Softening of hard water
