Chapter 5
Transport of
Contaminants
A. PLANE TRANSFER/ RELOCATION
Sorption
Sorption describes the actions of absorption and
adsorption - desorption is the opposite of
sorption. Adsorption and absorption are
important processes that occur in chemistry and
biology. It is important to have an understanding
of both processes and the differences between
them when considering separation protocols,
particularly in gas and liquid chromatography.
• ADSORPTION
Adsorption is a surface process, the accumulation
of a gas or liquid on a liquid or solid. Adsorption
can be defined further based on the strength of
the interaction between the adsorbent (the
substrate onto which chemicals attach) and the
adsorbed molecules.
Physisorption — Van der Waals interactions
between substrate and adsorbate (the molecule
that is adsorbed)
Chemisorption — Chemical bonds involved
(covalent bonds usually) in sticking the
adsorbate to the adsorbent
Chemisorption involves more energy than
physisorption. The difference between the two
processes is loosely based on the binding energy
of the interaction.
• ABSORPTION
Absorption is a phenomenon involving the bulk
properties of a solid, liquid or gas. It involves atoms
or molecules crossing the surface and entering the
volume of the material. As in adsorption, there can
be physical and chemical absorption.
Physical absorption — A non-reactive process e.g.
when oxygen present in air dissolves in water. The
process depends on the liquid and the gas, and on
physical properties like solubility, temperature and
pressure.
Chemical absorption — A chemical reaction takes
place when the atoms or molecules are absorbed.
An example is when hydrogen sulphide is removed
from biogas streams and converted into solid
sulphur.
DESORPTION
Desorption is the release of one substance from
another, either from the surface or through the
surface. Desorption can occur when an
equilibrium situation is altered. Imagine a tank
of water in equilibrium with its surroundings.
The amount of oxygen entering and leaving the
water from the air will be the same — and the
oxygen concentration in the water will be
constant. If the water temperature increases,
the equilibrium and solubility are changed, and
the oxygen will desorb from the water —
lowering the oxygen content.
VITALIZATION
After eliminating toxic particles
like heavy metals, bacteria,
pesticides and many others by
means of filter systems the water is
now physically and substantially
clean. Nearly all dangerous particles
have been restrained. It now will be
physically pure.
SWIRLERS FOLLOW THE SAME PRINCIPLE, BRINGING
MANY BENEFITS BY DOING SO:
• They remove negative memories
contained in molecular vibrations. This
means that the memory of toxins and
other negative information are no
longer present.
• They follow natural water movements.
• The systems aerate the water and
expel chlorides.
• They break the long chain clusters of
the water molecules. This helps to
assimilate water in our bodies
