A multilayer adsorption reaction model in liquid phase based on BET isotherm fundamentals has been developed from the pseudo steady-state hypothesis of adsorption on the accumulating adsorbate layers. The model accurately reproduces the adsorption isotherms and kinetic profiles of different adsorption systems reported in the literature, and especially those of mesoporous carbon materials used to adsorb organic compounds in aqueous solutions. The kinetic rate constant evaluated for each of the adsorption systems permitted them to be sorted according to the adsorption rate, regardless of the operation parameters employed in the experiments. The model also allowed the effect of the equilibrium parameters and operation variables on the adsorption rate to be analyzed. The analysis yielded similar trends to those reported in literature. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.