Question

_________ (adsorption/chemisorption) process is involved in the decolourization of sugar
cane juice.

Answer 1

Adsorption is accumulation of molecular species at the surface of substance rather than in the bulk called adsorption.
Activated charcoal and ion exchange resin are used to remove the colours i.e. used in
decolourization process. Activated charcoal adsorbs the colour components on its surface.

Complete step by step answer:
1)Adsorption is the process in which material travels from gas or liquid phase and form
superficial monomolecular layer on a solid or liquid. The substance that adsorbed on surface
called adsorbate. The substance on which adsorption takes place is called adsorbent.
2) There are generally two types of adsorption that is physical adsorption (physisorption) or
chemical adsorption (chemisorption). Physical adsorption is generally called adsorption.
3) In physical adsorption adsorbate molecule are held on adsorbent by physical forces like
Vander Waal forces. And in chemical adsorption adsorbate molecule is held on adsorbent
by chemical forces that is chemical bond formation.
4) Sugar solution extracted from plants can retain colour components from raw material.in
decolourization of cane sugar juice mainly activated charcoal is used because
decolourization efficiency of powdered activated charcoal was much better than others.
Activated charcoal adsorbs the colour impurities on its surface.
5) Therefore adsorption process is mainly used in decolourization of cane sugar juice.

Note:
There are different factors which affects the adsorption in which important factor is the nature and
surface area of adsorbent. More is the surface area of adsorbent more is the adsorption. Hence the
a substance which has the highest surface area acts as a good adsorbent.
For ex. Silica gel, clay, colloids, metals, finely divided substance, charcoal, etc.