AbstractExperimental binary and ternary equilibrium data for the adsorption of hydrocarbon mixtures of methane, ethane, ethylene, and propylene on activated carbon at 20°C are presented and discussed. Reproduction of binary adsorption equilibria and prediction of ternary adsorption equilibria exclusively with data of binary systems have been carried out using a real adsorbed solution theory, which requires the calculation of the activity coefficients for the components in the adsorbed phase.Predicted equilibrium data are found to be in excellent agreement with experimental values using Wilson and UNIQUAC equations to calculate the activity coefficients. The real absorbed solution theory provides a much more accurate method for predicting multicomponent adsorption equilibria than the ideal adsorbed solution theory