Question
Give four uses of adsorption.

Answer

i. Catalysis (Heterogeneous catalysis):
  • The solid catalysts are used in many industrial manufacturing processes.
  • For example, iron is used as a catalyst in manufacturing of ammonia, platinum in manufacturing of sulphuric acid, $H_2SO_4$​​​​​​​ (by contact process) while finely divided nickel is employed as a catalyst in hydrogenation of oils.
ii. Gas masks:
  • It is a device which consists of activated charcoal or mixture of adsorbents.
  • It is used for breathing in coal mines to avoid inhaling of the poisonous gases.
iii. Control of humidity: Silica and alumina gels are good adsorbents of moisture.
iv. Production of high vacuum:
  • Lowering of temperature at a given pressure, increases the rate of adsorption of gases on charcoal powder. By using this principle, high vacuum can be attained by adsorption.
  • A vessel evacuated by vacuum pump is connected to another vessel containing coconut charcoal cooled by liquid air. The charcoal adsorbs the remaining traces of air or moisture to create a high vacuum.

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