CH312 MASS TRANSFER-I

Unit-I: Numerical Problems-I

Session-5

16th July 2019

 (1) In an oxygen-nitrogen mixture at 10 atmosphere and 250C, the concentrations of
oxygen at two places of 0.2 cm a part are 10 and 20 volume percent respectively.
Calculate the rate of diffusion of oxygen expressed as gm/cm2.hr for the case of
unicomponent diffusion (nitrogen to non-diffusing).
Data : Value of diffusivity between oxygen – nitrogen = 0.181 cm2/sec.
atm. cm3
R = 82.06
gm.mole K
Given Data : Gas Diffusion
Solution:
DAB = 0.181 cm2/sec
Pt = 10 atm
T = 25 + 273 = 298 K
Z = 0.2 cm
NA = ? gm/cm2.hr.
This is the case of steady-state diffusion of gas A (O2) through non-diffusing
gas B (N2).
For this case, we have equation:
DAB Pt  – – 
NA =  p A – p A 2 … (A)
–  1
RTZ PB, M
Since Volume % = mole %
We have, Partial pressure=Mole fraction  total pressure
–
pA1 = 0.2  10 = 2 atm.
–
pA2 = 0.1  10 = 1 atm.
– – – –
Also, pA1 + pB1 = pA2 + pB2 = pt = 10 atm.
– –
 pB1 = 8 atm, p B2 = 9 atm.
– –
pB2 – PB1 9 – 8
–
Thus, PB, M = = = 8.49 atm.
– 9
pB2 ln 8
 
ln –
 
pB1
 
Thus, equation (A) becomes,
0.181  10  (2 – 1)
NA =
82.06  298  0.2  8.49
NA = 4.36  10–5 gm. mole/sec. cm2
= 4.36  10–5  32  3600
=5.022 gm/cm2. hr
 Ammonia gas is diffusing at constant rate through a layer of stagnant air 1 mm
(2) thick. Conditions are fixed so that 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 298 K and 1 atm. pressure and under this condition the diffusivity of ammonia in
air is 0.18  10–4 m2/sec. Calculate the rate of diffusion of ammonia through the
layer. Take R = 8.314 kJ/k mole oK.

Solution:
Given data: Z = 1 mm = 1  10–3 m
DAB = 0.18  10–4 m2/sec Gas Diffusion
Pt = 101.3 kN/m2
R = 8.314 kJ/k mol K
T = 25 + 273 = 298 oK
–
pA1 = 0.5  101.3 = 50.65 kN/m2
–
pA2 = 0
This is case of Equimolar counter diffusion so we have equation,

DAB · Pt  – – 
NA =  pA – p A 2
RTZ  1
0.18  10–4  101.3 (50.65 – 0)
=
8.314  298  1  10–3
= 3.76  10–3 k mole/m2. sec.
 (3) Calculate the rate of diffusion of water vapor from a thin layer of water at the
bottom of a well 6 m in height to dry air flowing over the top of the well. Assume
the entire system is at 298 K and atmosphere pressure. If the well diameter is 3 m,
find out the total weight of water diffused per second from the surface of the water
in the well. The diffusion coefficient of water vapor in dry air at 298 K and
atmospheric pressure is 0.256  10–4 m2/sec. The partial pressure of water Vapour
at 298 K is 0.0323  10–4 kg/m2.

Solution: –
Data given: pA1 = Partial pressure of water vapor

= 0.0323  10–4 kg/m2

= 0.0323 kg/cm2 Gas Diffusion
= 0.031 atm.
–
pA2 = 0, Z = 6m

DAB = 0.256  10–4 m2/sec.

T = 25 + 273 = 298 K
–
Thus, pB1 = 1 – 0.031
= 0.969 atm.
–
pB = 1 atm.
2
 – –
pB – pB
– 2 1 1 – 0.969
So, P B, M = = = 0.984 atm.
p– B2 ln 0.969
1 


ln –
  
pB1
 
We have equation,
DAB Pt  – – 
NA =  p – pA2
–  A1
RTZ PB, M
0.256  10–4  1 (0.031)
=
0.08206  298  6
= 5.496  10–9 k mole/m2.sec.
Rate of diffusion of water to dry air,
= NA  Area  Mol. wt. of water

= 5.496  10–9  4 D2  18

= 5.496  10–9  4  (3)2  18

=7  10–7 kg/sec.
 A volatile organic compound benzene costing Rs. 45 per kg, is stored in a tank 10 m

(4)
diameter and open at top. A stagnant air film 10 mm thick is covering the surface of
the compound beyond which the compound is absent. If the atmospheric
temperature is 25C. Vapour pressure of the compound is 150 mm Hg and its molar
diffusivity is 0.02 m2/hour, calculate the loss of benzene is Rs./day.

Solution: Data Given : T = 25 + 273 = 298 K

Z = 10 mm = 0.01 m
– 150
pA = 150 mm Hg=760 = 0.197 atm.
1
–
pA2 = 0
– – Gas Diffusion
pB = 1 – p A = 1 – 0.197 = 0.803 atm.
1 1
– –
pB2 = 1 – PA2 = 1 – 0 = 1 atm.
– –
pB2 – pB1 1 – 0.803
–
So, PB, M = = = 0.898 atm.
–  1 
p  ln 0.803
ln
 B2   
pB1
–
 

DAB Pt – – 
We have, NA = PA1 – PA2
–  
RTZ PB, M
0.02  1
= (0.197 – 0)
0.082  298  0.01  0.898
= 0.018 kg mole/hr. m2

Area of the tank = 4 (10)2 =78.5 m2

 Loss of benzene from the tank in one day (24 hours) is given by :
Loss in Rs./day=NA  A  hours  Molecular weight  Cost of benzene
=0.018  78.5  24  78  45 = 11,19,115
 Calculate the amount of diffusion of acetic acid (A) in 2 hours across a film on non-
(5) diffusing water (B) solution 1 mm thick at 17oC when the concentration on opposite
side of the film are 9 and 3 weight % acid respectively. The diffusivity of acetic acid
in solution is 0.95  10–9 m2/sec.

Data : At 17o C,

Density of 9% solution = 1012 kg/m3,

Density of 3% solution = 1003 kg/m3.

Molecular weight of acetic acid = 60,
Molecular weight of water = 18. Liquid Diffusion
Solution: Mole fractions of 9% and 3% acetic acid :
9
60
xA = 9 91 = 0.0288
1
60 + 8
3
60
xA2 = 3 97 = 0.0092
60 + 18
xB1 = 1 – xA1 = 0.9712
x B2 = 1 – xA2 = 0.9908
xB2 – xB1
So, xB, M = = 0.981
xB2
ln  
 xB 
 1
Now, Average molecular weight :

For 9% Solution :
M1 = xA  MCH COOH + xB · MH O
1 3 1 2
= 0.0288  60 + 0.9712  18
= 19.23
For 3% solution :
M2 = xA2  MCH3COOH + xB2  MH2O
= 0.0092  60 + 0.9908  18
= 18.41

Thus, for 9% solution :

 1012
M 1 = 19.23 = 52.60
 
for 3% solution :
 1003.2
M 2 = 18.41 = 54.55
 
 52.60 + 54.55
Thus, M avg = 2
 
= 53.58 kg/m3
DAB 
So, NA = Z · xB‚ M  
Mavg
(xA1 – xA2)

0.95  10–9  53.58

=  (0.0288 – 0.0092)
0.07707  1  10–3
= 1.017  10–6 kg.mol/m2.sec.

Amount of diffusion of acetic acid in 2 hours,

= 1.017  10–6  3600  2
=7.32  10–3 kgmole/m2
(6) Calculate diffusivity of dry H2 in air at 303 K and 1 atm. The molecular
volume of air and hydrogen are:
VH2 = 14.3 cm3/gm. mole

VAir = 29.9 cm3/gm. mole Gas Diffusivity

Solution: Gilliland's correlation is,

3
0.0043 T2 1 1
DH2 – air =  1 1  MH2 + Mair
 2
3
Pt VH2 + Vair  3
 
3
0.0043 (300)2 1 1
=  1 12  2 + 29
 
3
1 (14.3) + (29.9) 3
= 0.544 cm2/sec
 Use Wilke-Chang correlation to estimate the diffusivity of ethyl benzene into water
(7) at 293 oK. The viscosity of water at this temperature may be 1 cP and density of
ethyl benzene at normal boiling temperature (409.3 K) is 0.761 gm/cc. Assume
 = 2.6. Compare this value with experimental at value of DAB = 0.81  10–5 cm2/sec.

Wilke–Chang correlation is,

1
·T Liquid
0 (117.3  10–18) ( MB)2
Solution: D = Diffusivity
AB 0.6
µ VA

Data Given :  = 2.6

B = H2O; MB = 18
A = Ethyl benzene (C6H3C2H5); MA = 105
VA = 139.5 cm3/mol
T = 293 oK
0 (117.3  10–18) (2.6  18)0.5  293
 D =
AB 1  (139.5)0.6
= 1.215  10–14 cm2/sec.
The deviation of calculated value from its experimental value of diffusivity of
ethyl benzene in water is given by :
(Calculated Value) – (Experimental Value)
= (Calculated Value)  100

1.215  10–5 – 0.81  10–5

=  100 = + 32.92%
1.215  10–5
 Mannitol (CH2OH (CHOH)4 · CH2OH) diffusivity in dilute solution in water at
(8) m2
293 ok has been reported to be 5.6  10–10 sec.. Compare the observed value with
the calculated value. Base your calculations on the following data:
 = 2.26

Dynamic viscosity of dilute solution = 1005  10–6 pa. sec.

VA = 0.185 m3/k mol

Wilke–Chang correlation is,
Solution:
1 Liquid
o (117.3  10–18 ) ( MB)2 T
D = Diffusivity
AB 0.6
µ VA

1
o (117.3  10–18 ) (2.26  18)2  293
D =
AB 1005  10–6  (0.185)0.6

= 6.003  10–10 m2/sec.

The deviation of calculated value from its experimental value of diffusivity of

mannitol in its dilute solution in water is given by :

(Calculated value) – (Experimental value)

= (Calculated value)  100

6.003  10–10 – 5.6  10–10

=  100
6.003  10–10
=+ 6.66%
 The value of DAB for a dilute solution of methanol in water at 288 K is given by
(9) cm2
1.28  10−5 s . Estimate DAB for same solution for 373 K, using Wilke-Chang
correlation.
Data : 1 at 288 K = 1.14 Cp
2 at 373 K = 0.284 Cp Liquid
Solution: Diffusivity
Wilke-Change equation
117.3  10−18 (MB)1/2  T
DAB = 0.6
  VA

T
. .. DAB 

T1
(DAB)T1 = 288 K  
1  T1 2 
= =  
(DAB)T2 = 373 K T2 1 T2
 
2 
1 T2
 (DAB)T2 = 373 K = (DAB)T1   T 
2 1

 1.14 373
= 1.28  10−5 0.284  288
 
(DAB)T2 = 373=6.6  10−5 cm2/sec.
 (10) Estimate DAB for a dilute solution TNT in benzene at 15C.
Data :  =0.705 Cp (Assume pure benzene in solution)
VA = 140 cm3/gm. mole (for TNT)
B = 1.0 for benzene Liquid
Diffusivity
MB = 78 for benzene
Solution:
Wilke-Chang equation is,
117.3  10−8 (B  MB)1/2  T
DAB =
 (VA)0.6
Substituting all values from given data in above equation

7.4  10−8 (1  78)1/2  288

DAB =
0.705  (140)0.6
DAB =1.38  10−5 cm2/sec.
 The O2 (A) is diffusing through CO (B) under standard conditions with CO non-
(11)
diffusing. The total pressure is 1  105 N/m2 and temperature is 0oC. The partial
pressure of O2 at two planes, 2.0 mm apart is 1300 and 6500 N/m2. The diffusivity
of oxygen in CO is DAB = 1.87  10–5 m2/sec. Calculate the rate of diffusion of O 2
in kmole/m2.sec.

Solution: Given Data :

Gas Diffusion
Let A  O2
B  CO

DAB = 1.87  10–5 m2/sec

PT = 1  105 N/m2
T = 273 K

pA = 1300 N/m2
1

pA = 6500 N/m2
2

z = 2  10–3 m

 pA = 13000 N/m2 , pB = 1  105 – 13000 = 87000

1 1

 pA = 6500 N/m2 , pB = 1  105 – 6500 = 93500

2 2
The flux of diffusion of O2 through a non-diffusing CO is given by,

DAB · PT ·
(pA1 – pA2)
NA =
R.T. (z) (PB)lm

DAB · PT ·
(pA1 – pA2)
=
(pB1 – pB2)
R.T. (z)
pB1
ln  
pB 
 2

DAB · PT ·
(pA1 – pA2)
=
( A1) – (PT – pA2)
 PT – p 
RT (z)
pB1
ln  
pB 
 2

pB2
DAB · PT · ln  
pB 
 1
=
RT z
93500
1.87  10–5  1  105 ln 87000
 
= –3
8314  2  10  273

= 2.9  10–5 kmole/m2.s

 NA = 2.9  10–5 kmole/m2.s

 An absorption tower has been proposed to remove selectively two pollutants,
(12) hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, from an exhaust gas stream with molar
composition 2.0% H2S, 4.0% SO2 and 94.0% air. The gas mixture is 373 K and 1 atm.
using an appropriate empirical correlation, calculate the diffusivity of :
(a) Hydrogen sulfide in the gas mixture, (b) Sulfur dioxide in the gas mixture.

Solution: Let A = H2S, B = SO2 and C = air. The correlation of Fuller et al. will be used to
estimate DAB.
Gas Diffusivity
Fuller et. al. correlation is given by :
 1 1 1/2
–3
10 T 1.75 M + M 
 A B
DAB = 1/3 1/3
P [(∑ v)A + (∑ v)B ]2

Data is Given (∑v)A = 2 (1.98) + 17.0 = 20.96 MA = 34 g/mol

(∑v)B = 41.1 MB = 64 g/mol
(∑v)C = 20.1 MC = 29 g/mol
(a) The diffusivity of H2S in the gaseous mixture is given by :
1 – yA
DA, m = y yC
B
+
DAB DAC

From Fuller et. al. equation, we can calculate as DAB = 0.174 cm2/s, DAC =
0.267 cm2/s
1 – 0.02
DA, m = 0.04 0.94 = 0.261 cm2/s
+
0.174 cm2/s 0.267 cm2/s

(b) The diffusivity of SO2 in the gaseous mixture is given by :

1 – yB
DB, m = yA yC
+
DAB DBC

From Fuller et. al correlation as above we can calculate, DAB = 0.174 cm2/s,

DAC = 0.183 cm2/s.

1 – 0.04
DB‚ m = 0.02 0.94 = 0.183 cm2/sec.
+
0.174 cm2/s 0.183 cm2/s
 The diffusion coefficient of CO2 in N2 at 25°C and 1 atm is 1.67  10–5 m2/s. Use
(13)
this value to calculate the diffusivity for the system at 125°C and 10 atm using
Fueller et. al. correlation.

Gas Diffusivity
Solution:

Fuller et. al. correlation :

–3 1.75  1 1 1/2
10 T M + M 
 A B T1.75
DAB = 1/3 1/3 2  D  P
P [(∑ v)A + (∑ v)B ]

T21.75 P1 3981.75 1

(DAB)2 =(DAB)1 T  P  = 1.67  10–5 298 10
 1  2    

=2.77  10–6 m2/s

(14) Diffusivity of Vapour of volatile liquid in air can be conveniently determined by
Winklemann's method in which liquid is contained in a narrow vertical tube
maintained at constant temperature. Air stream is passed over the top of tube
rapidly to measure the partial pressure of Vapour remains approximately zero.

On the assumption, vapor is transferred from surface of liquid to a stream by

molecular diffusion. Calculate the diffusivity of CCl4 vapor in air at 321 oK and1
atm. pressure from following experimental data. Derive the equation you have
used in this problem.

Estimation of diffusivity of vapors by Winklemann's method

 Time from common cement of Liquid Level
experiment (ks)

(cm) (mm)

0 0 0

1.6 0.25 0.025

11.1 1.29 0.129

27.4 2.32 0.232

80.2 4.39 0.439

117.2 5.47 0.547

168.6 6.70 0.670

199.7 7.38 0.738

289.3 9.03 0.903

383.1 10.48 1.048

Data : Vapour pressure of CCl4 at 321 K is 37.6 kN/m2 and density of liquid is
1540 kg/m3. The kilogram molecular volume is 22.4 m3.
Estimation of diffusivity of vapors by Winklemann's method
Rate of mass transfer is given by,
CA  CT 
NA = D ·  L  ·  C  … (1)
   B‚ M
where, CA= Saturation concentration at the interface
L = Effective distance through which the mass transfer is taking
place.
CT = Total concentration of system.
CB, M = Logarithmic concentration differential considering the
evaporation of liquid, the rate of mass transfer is given by,
rL dL
NA = M · dt … (2)
 
where rL = Density of liquid
Thus, at any time these two rates are equal. Equating equations (1) and
equation (2),
rL dL CA  CT 
  · = D ·  L  · C  … (3)
 M dt    BM
Integrating equation (3) and putting,
L = Lo , at t=0

2
2 2 MD CA CT
we get, L –L =  r  C t
0  L   BM 
Lo will not be measured accurately nor is the effective distance for diffusion at
time t. Most of the practical situations accurate values of (L – Lo) are available.

2 MD CA CT

(L – Lo) (L – Lo + 2 Lo) = r   C t … (4)
 L   BM 
Equation (4) may be written in the form,

 t   rL   CBM   rL – CBM 
L – L  =2 M  C C  (L – Lo) + M C C  Lo … (5)
 o  D  A T  D A T
 t 
Plot a graph of L – L  Vs L – Lo
 o
Plot t/(L – Lo) Versus (L – Lo)
From graph, Slope = S = 0.0310 ks/mm2
= 3.1 x 107 s/m2

 1  To
Now, CT = 22.4  
  T

where, To = reference temperature = 273 K

 1  273
CT = 22.4 321
   
CT = 0.0376 k mole/m3
M = 154 kg/k mole
Vapour pressure
CA = Total pressure ´ CT

37.6
= 101.3 ´ 0.0376

= 0.01396 k mole/m3
rL = 1540 kg/m3
In this problem, we assume,
k mole
CT @ CB1 = 0.0376
m3
Pt– Vapour Pressure
and CB =  Pt  CT
2  
101.3 – 37.6
=   x 0.0376
 101.3 
= 0.0238 k mole/m3
CB – CB
2 1 0.0238 – 0.0376
CBM = =
CB2 0.4573

ln C 
 B1
= 0.0303
(rL/CBM)
From graph, S = (2MDC C ) = 3.1 x 107 S/mm2
A T
 rL · CBM 
D = 2M C C S =
 A T 
1540  0.0303
2  154  0.01396  0.0376  3.1  107

D=9.2 x´ 10–6 m2/sec.

Thank You