Scribd
Upload
16 views

Introduction to Mass Transfer

The document provides an introduction to mass transfer, specifically focusing on diffusion, which is the movement of components from high to low concentration. It discusses the basic mechanisms of molecular and eddy diffusion, Fick's Law governing diffusion rates, and various modes of diffusion. Additionally, it covers mass transfer theories, coefficients, and examples to illustrate the concepts.

Uploaded by

hlongwelulama2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
16 views

Introduction to Mass Transfer

The document provides an introduction to mass transfer, specifically focusing on diffusion, which is the movement of components from high to low concentration. It discusses the basic mechanisms of molecular and eddy diffusion, Fick's Law governing diffusion rates, and various modes of diffusion. Additionally, it covers mass transfer theories, coefficients, and examples to illustrate the concepts.

Uploaded by

hlongwelulama2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 21

Mass Transfer - Introduction

Chapter 1 – Semester 2
Diffusion

Mass transfer (diffusion) is the net movement of a component in a mixture from a


region of high concentration to a region of lower concentration.

Diffusion can take place in a gas (vapour) or a liquid or a solid.

Often the transfer takes place between two phases across an interface.
Basic Mechanism

Molecular diffusion
Random velocities of molecules resulting in spontaneous microscopic movement of
individual molecules in a gas, liquid or solid (thermal motion).

Eddy (turbulent) diffusion


Circulating currents in turbulent flow resulting in random macroscopic fluid motion.

Diffusion depends on:


1. Driving force (difference in concentration) (moles per unit volume)
2. The distance in the direction of transfer (meter)
3. Diffusivity coefficient (area per unit time)
Ficks Law

The rate of diffusion is governed by Fick’s Law (1855). It expresses the mass transfer
rate as a linear function of molecular concentration gradient.

Scenario 1: Fick’s Law for Steady State diffusion

(1)
Where:
JA is the molecular diffusion flux of A (moles per unit area per unit time)
CA is the concentration of A (moles of A per unit volume)
DAB is the diffusivity (diffusion coefficient) of A in B (unit area per unit time)
Z is the distance in the direction of transfer (meter)
Diffusion with the bulk of the mass in motion
If eddies are present, the molecular mechanism will be reinforced.

Total diffusion = molecular diffusion + convection term

Convection term is the eddy diffusion (molar flux due to convection)

(2)
Ways to write total diffusion:
a. Partial pressure for gases
b. Mole fraction for gases and liquids

Partial Pressure: Mole fraction


Modes of diffusion

Stagnant Diffusion
One component in a gaseous mixture is transported relative to a fixed plane (liquid
interface)

(3)
Example 1:
Ammonia gas is diffusing at a constant rate through a layer of stagnant air 1mm thick.
Conditions are such that the gas contains 50% by volume of ammonia at one
boundary of the stagnant layer. The ammonia diffusing to the other boundary is quickly
absorbed and the concentration is negligible at that plane. The temperature is 295K,
and the pressure is atmospheric. The diffusivity of ammonia in air at these conditions
is 0.18 cm2/s. Estimate the rate of diffusion of ammonia through the layer.
Drift Factor
When the concentration of component A which is being transferred is low, the drift
factor equals 1.
Equimolecular Counter Diffusion

The mass transfer rate of two components are equal and opposite. (e.g: a box with a
moving partition)

For equimolecular diffusion

(4)
Example 2:
Air-carbon dioxide mixture, at 298K and 202.6kPa has a concentration of carbon
dioxide at two planes, 3mm apart, with volumes of 25% and 15% respectively. The
diffusivity of carbon dioxide in air at these conditions is 8.2 x 10 -6 m2/s. Calculate the
rate of transfer of carbon dioxide across the two planes assuming:
a. Equimolecular counter diffusion
b. Diffusion of carbon dioxide through a stagnant layer
Mass Transfer Theories

Two-film theory

Whitman (1923)

Assumptions
 Steady state
 A laminar layer exists in each of the two fluids
 Resistance to transfer is concentrated in
these two laminar layers
For equimolecular counter-diffusion:

For partial pressures:

The rate of mass transfer per unit area from the gas film is:

The rate of mass transfer per unit area from the liquid film is:
What is the relationship between partial pressure and concentration?

Described by Raoult’s Law and Henry’s Law

Raoult’s Law Henry’s law

A solvent's partial vapour pressure in a The amount of gas that is dissolved


solution (or mixture) is equal or in a liquid is directly proportional to
identical to the vapour pressure of the the partial pressure of that gas
pure solvent multiplied by its mole above the liquid when the
fraction in the solution. temperature is kept constant.
Additional thoeries:
1. The penetration Theory (1935 Higbie)
2. The random surface renewal Theory (Danckwerts 1951)
3. The film-penetration theory (Toor and Marchello 1958)
Mass Transfer Coefficients

Individual mass transfer coefficients and overall coefficients.

= the individual liquid film mass transfer coefficient

= the individual gas film mass transfer coefficient

= the overall mass transfer coefficient based on the gas phase

= the overall mass transfer coefficient based on the liquid phase

= partial pressure of gas (A) at the interface

= concentration of the liquid (A) at the interface

= partial pressure of the gas phase which is in equilibrium with the


liquid phase

= concentration of the liquid phase which is in equilibrium with the


gas phase
Example 3

Prove that

Example 4:

Prove that
Notes to remember

The inverse of mass transfer coefficient is called the resistance to mass transfer

Gas film control is when the resistance lies in the gas film. The liquid film resistance
equates to zero.

Liquid film control is when the resistance lies in the liquid film. The gas film resistance
equates to zero.

Mass transfer coefficients have different units depending on how its calculated
Example 5:
For a system in which component A is transferring from the liquid to the gas phase, the
equilibrium is given by At one point in the apparatus the liquid contains 90 mol% of A,
and the gas 45 mol% of A. The individual gas film mass transfer coefficient at this
point in the apparatus is 0.02716 kmol/m2.s, and 70% of the overall resistance to mass
transfer is known to be encountered in the gas film. Determine:
a. The molar flux of A
b. The interfacial concentration of A
c. The overall mass transfer coefficient for the liquid and gas phases.

You might also like