ABSTRACT
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Adsorption is the phenomenon that selectively segregates atoms or molecules between a fluid and a solid. In some ways, it is like
ab
sorption, except the liquid-phase
ab
sorbent is replaced with a solidphase
ad
sorbent. Sometimes solids could be said to
ab
sorb or
ad
sorb fluids, i.e., the distinction is blurred.* In this chapter, the focus is on selective uptake (and release) by porous solids, especially for process applications. Another subtle distinction occurs when vapor is adsorbed from a gas; it is like condensation, except that the driving force is subtle molecular forces rather than a temperature gradient.
