Abstract
Propane adsorption isotherms have been determined chromato-graphically on fine- and coarse-grained activated carbons for different volumes of adsorbate injected on to the column. The dependencies between the net retention volume, Vn, and the molar differential work of adsorption, A, have been determined on the basis of the propane isotherms employing the retention times of the peak maxima. The equations obtained, i.e. In Vn = h(A) and (dW/dA)T.v = k(ln Vn), have been used to explain the chromatographic processes occurring in the adsorbent bed of the chromatographic column. An attempt has been made to explain the dependency between the chromatographic peak profile and the distribution function of the pore volume filled with propane with respect to the molar differential work of adsorption.