AbstractBreakthrough in adsorption beds: Methods of calculation and influence of operation parameters. Calculation of the breakthrough curve of a fixed bed adsorber is performed numerically for industrial applications. Calculation methods are known for solution of the four coupled differential equations and can be performed within a considerable but acceptable time on todays powerful computers. Nevertheless, the present article considers the analytical description and discussion of the individual parameters because the influence of the large number of parameters on the breakthrough curve cannot be appreciated. These relations must be known if individual operating parameters are changed or if a laboratory unit is scaled up to an industrial plant. The influence of the following effects on the breakthrough curve are considered and approximate solutions are given in order to at least estimate the influence: axial dispersion; shape of the isotherms (linear, Langmuir, irreversible), constant pattern conditions; resistance to mass flow (diffusion and transfer); multicomponent adsorption; concentration and temperature fronts; non‐isothermal adiabatic adsorption; adiabatic equilibrium curve (sorption pathway). Mathematical treatment necessitates reference to the literature. The relations of importance for plant and design are presented her