Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

Experimental Methodology for Estimation of Local Heat Fluxes and Burning Rates in Steady Laminar Boundary Layer Diffusion Flames
Published on: June 1, 2016
On thermodynamical inconsistency of isotherm equations: Gibbs's thermodynamics
1Research Institute of Applied Chemistry, University of Miskolc, P.O. Box 2, H-3515 Miskolc-Egyetemváros, Hungary. tothig@me.akki.hu
Abstract:
It has been proven that all isotherm equations which include the expression 1-Theta contradict the exact Gibbs thermodynamics. These contradictions have been discussed in detail in the case of the Langmuir (L) equation applied to gas/solid (G/S), solid/liquid (S/L), and gas/liquid (G/L) interfaces. In G/S adsorption the L equation can theoretically be applied only at low equilibrium pressures on condition that vg >> vs . vg is the molar volume of the adsorbed amount in the gas phase and vs is the same in the Gibbs phase. In S/L and G/L adsorption the L equation is practically applicable only in the domain of very low concentrations. The cause of these contradictions (inconsistencies) is that Gibbs thermodynamics takes excess adsorbed amounts into account; however, the L and other isotherm equations calculate with the absolute adsorbed amount. The two amounts may be practically equal to each other when the limiting conditions mentioned above are fulfilled. It is also discussed how these inconsistent isotherm equations can be transformed into consistent ones.
Related Concept Videos
Gibbs Free Energy
Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
Isothermal Processes
An ideal gas can also undergo isothermal expansion or compression.
For example, consider 1 mole of an ideal gas inside an isolated cylinder at initial volume V...
Statements of the Second Law of Thermodynamics
Joule-Thomson Effect
This experiment forces high-pressure gas through a throttle valve or a porous plug to a lower-pressure region. The gas expands as it passes through to...
The Joule and Joule–Thomson Experiments

