A thermogravimetric analyzer for condensable gas adsorption under subatmospheric conditions

We have developed a thermogravimetric system (TG system) for condensable gas adsorption by modifying a standard thermogravimetric analyzer Cahn TG 2121 and performed isotherm measurements of water vapor adsorption on Fuji Davison type RD silica gel and ethanol vapor adsorption on Maxsorp II activated carbon. For the water vapor-silica gel data, our results compare favorably with the data reported by the manufacturer and those obtained from a volumetric method. This confirms the reliability of our TG system for adsorbents which do not swell significantly. In addition, our isotherm data also provide useful design information for the development of adsorption chillers.