THE

COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF MINES AND MINERAL
SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL
ENGINEERING
NAME : MPUNDU MICHAEL.

SIN : 11411417.

PROGRAM : BEng CHEMICAL 3.

TASK : LAB REPORT.

COURSE : CE 330.

LECTURER : MR NTENGWE.

DATE : 19/09/13.
EXPERIMENT # 6
DATE: 19/09/13

TITLE: MASS TRANSFER IN AGITATED VESSELS

AIM: To measure mass transfer coefficients as a function of extent of agitation

for the transfer of solid salicylic acid into water. Further, to correlate the
mass transfer coefficient with operating and system variables.

INTRODUCTION:
Mass transfer is the transfer of material within or between regions of different
concentration. This usually occurs between phases (A phase is an aggregation of
matter in a homogeneous state with respect to macroscopic properties i.e.
density, temperature and pressure). The transfer occurs in gases, liquids. The
motion is stirred by the random movement of molecules. And it is the
concentration gradient which acts as a driving force. This is called molecular
mass transfer.
However the process of mass transfer is quite slow especially for solid liquid
phase. Therefore; artificial motion (turbulence) has to be created. This is done
using rotating impellers.
Industrial applications includes; blending miscible liquids, contacting or
dispersing immiscible liquids, dispersing a gas in a liquid, promoting heat transfer
between agitated liquids.

APPARATUS:
 Tablet machine,
 Rotating stirrer,
 Burette,
 Beakers.
THEORY:

Motor Housing

Spindle

Impeller

Beaker

Salicylic tablet

Below is the comparison and derivation of the mass transfer equations for gas
and liquid phase.
The coefficients absorption in commercial equipment for the liquid and gas are
usually in turbulent flow and the film thickness is not easy to determine. Therefore
instead of analysis of mass transfer using Fick’s law, it is more convenient to
write the molar flux of lets say, A using mass transfer equation of the form:
At appoint A(x , AL, y AG)
The mass transfer equation can be written for the phases as;
NA = Cf (YA – YAL)
Where N = Molar Flux component A (mol / m 2 s K)
X = mass transfer coefficients
X Ai –x AL) Concentration driving force (mole fraction)
K = film mass transfer coefficient determined experimentally or
through correlations.

The analogue with heat transfer equation q = Q / A = h(DT);

Where DT is the temperature difference, the driving force for heat flow. The mass
transfer equation in the liquid phase is given just as for a heat exchanger ( i.e.
double pipe, or shell and tube) whereby there is a tube side heat transfer
coefficient and a shell side transfer coefficient .A similar definition can be made
for using overall mass transfer coefficient(K).
NA = KX (XA* -- XAL )
A* is the concentration (mole fraction) in liquid phase that is in equilibrium with
AG.
The relationship between film and overall mass transfer coefficients: It
can be shown that K,
X,k
Y,k
X and K, Y are related through the equation:

1 / Km = 1 / ky + m / kl For which m is the slope.

Fick’s law gives the mass transfer equation [N A = -- DAB (dCA / dy)] which governs
the rate of diffusion for components A and B. And to aid diffusion, impellers are
used. The impellers are run at different speeds so as to observe the effect at each
stage. A brief overview of the experiment is that Vessels are filled with a known
amount of distilled water. The stirrers are set at different speeds of rotation and
the amount of salicylic acid dissolving into solution is measured as a function of
time by titrating 10ml of samples (taken at intervals) with 0.002mol/L of sodium
hydroxide solution. Mass transfer increases with an increase in speed of the
impeller.

METHOD:
A. The preparation of salicylic acid tablet.
B. The salicylic powdered sample was moistened enough to form a viscous
paste. This was then loaded into the tablet compressor and compressed
on all facets. Afterwards the tablet was dried by placing in the
desiccators.
 B. Preparation of 0.002M NaOH:
Step 1; Mass of NaOH
Mass required (M) = (RMW x Mole x V) / (1000)
= {40(g/mol) x 0.02mol x 250ml} / 1000ml = 0.20g
Dissolving 0.20g NaOH in 250ml water gives 0.02M KOH,
Step 2; Volume of NaOH
Pipette 25ml of the prepared solution into a 250ml volumetric flask
and make to the mark.
I.e M 1V1 = M2V2
0.02M x V1 = 0.002M x250
V1 = 25ml.

C. Mass transfer procedure.

Firstly the surface area of the salicylic acid tablet was determined. Also
measured were the diameters of the beaker to be used and the impeller. Then
the beaker was filled 400ml of water. Next the tablet was immersed in the
water beaker with the blades of the stirrer just above it. The apparatus was
arranged as shown above. The speed of rotation on the stirrer was then set
to 150rpm, simultaneously getting the stopwatch started and stirring allowed
for 15minutes. 10ml of solution from the beaker was pipetted and titrated
against 0.002M of sodium hydroxide. With phenolphthalein as indicator, the
observed colour was faint pink. After noting the volume of base used in the
bullet; the procedure was repeated for 10 and 5 minutes respectively. At
speeds of 250 and 450rpms and times of 15, 10 and 5minutes for each,
samples of 10ml from the beaker were taken and titrated with 0.002M of
NaOH. The results were as tabulated below;

RESULTS:
Temperature = 220C
Diffusivity (D) = 0.94x10-11
Density (ρ) = 997.2 kg/m3
Volume of solution = 0.2L,
Beaker diameter = 0.0926m,
Conc. of base = 0.002mol/L,
Viscosity (μ) = 1.005 x10-3kg/ms,
Impeller diameter (d) = 0.03m.

Table of results
Speed(rpm) 150 250 450
Time (sec) 900 600 300 900 600 300 900 600 300
Volu (KOH) 3.9 7.1 8.4 11.4 13.5 15.6 16.6 17.8 20
titrant(ml)
Volu Acid used (ml) 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

CALCULATIONS:
Determining the area of the tablet;
Area = π (R2 + R1) √ {(R2 – R1)2 + (H) 2}
= π (7.7X10-3 + 6.4X10-3) √ {(7.7X10-3 – 6.4X10-3)2 + (2.1X10-3 H) 2}
= 9.56X10-4 M2
Determining the value of concentration of salicylic acid,
At 150 rev/ min
i). 15 min,
MAVA =MBVB
MA =MBVB / VA
= (0.002mol/L x 3.9×10 -3)/ 10 x10-3 = 7.8 x10-4 M
ii). 10 min,
MA = (0.002mol/L x 7.1 x10-3)/ 10 x10-3 = 14.2 x10-4M
iii). 5 min,
MA = (0.002mol/L x 8.4 x10-3)/ 10x10-3 = 16.8 x10-4 M
A×t 250 rev/min
i). 15 min,
MA = (0.002mol/L x 11.4 x10-3)/ 10 x10-3 = 22.8 x10-4M
ii). 10 min,
MA = (0.002mol/L x 13.5 x10-3)/ 10 x10-3 = 27.0 x10-4M
iii). 5 min,
MA = (0.002mol/L x 15.6 x10-3)/ 10 x10-3 = 31.2 x10-4 M
 At 450 rev/min
i). 15 min,
MA = (0.002mol/L x16.6 x10-3)/ 10 x10-3 = 33.2 x10-4M
ii). 10 min,
MA = (0.002mol/L x 17.8 x10-3)/ 10 x10-3 = 35.6 x10-4M
iii). 5 min,
MA = (0.002mol/L x 20x10-3)/ 10 x10-3 = 40.0 x10-4M

(b) Table of results

Speed(rpm) 150 250 450
Conc. 7.8x10-4 14.2 x10- 16.8 x10- 22.8 27.0x10- 31.2x10- 33.2 35.6 40.0
4 4 -4 4 4 -4 -4
Acid . x10 x10 x10 x10-4

The rate of mass transfer coefficient is given by;

dc / dt = k A / (v {Ci - C})
Where k = mass transfer coefficient;
A = area of solid tablet;
V = volume of solution;
Ci = interfacial concentration (saturated) = 0.0163mol/ mL;
C = concentration at time t
Co = initial concentration of the acid.
Using integrated form of the equation above,
∫ dc / (Ci - C) = ∫ k(A/V) dt,
- ln (Ci - C) = k(A/V)t + B
Thus at t = 0, C = Co, where Co is the initial concentration of the acid. Therefore,
- ln (Ci - Co) = k(A/V)(0) + B,
B = - ln (Ci - Co)
ln (Ci - C)= k(A/V)t - ln (Ci - Co),
ln [(Ci - Co)/ Ci - C)] = k(A/V)t
k = {ln [(Ci - Co)/ Ci - C)] V} / At.
Therefore,
At 150 (rpm) = 2.5(rev/s),
15 min,
 k = {0.2 ln [(0.0163 – 0) / (0.0163 – 7.8x10-4)]} / (9.56x10-4 x 900) = 0.0114

10 min,
k = {0.195 ln [(0.0163 – 7.8 x10-4) / (0.0163 – 14.2 x10-4)]} / (9.56x10-4 x 600)
= 0.0143
5 min,
k = {0.19 ln [(0.0163 – 14.2 x10-4) / (0.0163 – 16.8 x10-4)]} / (9.56x10-4 x 300)
= 0.01168
Av = 12.46x10-3

At 250(rpm),
15 min,
k = {0.185 ln [(0.0163 – 16.8 x10-4) / (0.0163 – 22.8 x10-4)]} / (9.56x10-4 x 900)
= 0.00901
10 min,
k = {0.18 ln [(0.0163 – 22.8 x10-4) / (0.0163 – 27.0 x10-4)]} / (9.56x10-4 x 600)
= 0.00954
5 min,
k = {0.175 ln [(0.0163 – 27.0 x10-4) / (0.0163 – 31.2 x10-4)]} / (9.56x10-4 x 300)
= 0.01915
Av = 12.57x10-3
At 450(rpm),
15 min,
k = {0.17 ln [(0.0163 – 31.2 x10-4) / (0.0163 – 33.2 x10-4)]} / (9.56x10-4 x 900)
= 0.00302
10 min,
k = {0.165 ln [(0.0163 – 33.2 x10-4) / (0.0163 – 35.6 x10-4)]} / (9.56x10-4 x 600)
= 0.00537
5 min,
k = {0.16 ln [(0.0163 – 35.6 x10-4) / (0.0163 – 40.0 x10-4)]} / (9.56x10-4 x 300)
= 0.01962
Av = 9.337×10-3

The Gilliland and Sherwood equation correlates mass transfer data of type been
studied.
Kl / D = k (μ /ρD) b (Rd2ρ/ μ) c
Where k = mass transfer coefficient;
A = area of solid tablet;
D = molecular diffusivity;
μ = viscosity of solution;
ρ = density of solution
Log (Kl / D) =log k + b log (μ /ρD) + c log (Rd2ρ/ μ)
Log (Kl / D) - b log (μ /ρD) = c log (Rd2ρ/ μ) + log k.
Log [(Kl / D) / (μ /ρD) b] = c log (Rd2ρ/ μ) + log k.
Since the Danckwert theory applies in this case, the exponent b = 0.5.therefore, for
the average value of k,

k = 12.46x10-3,
Log [(12.46x10-3 x 0.0926 / 0.94x10-11) / (1.005 × 10-3 / 997.2 x 0.94x10-11) 0.5] = c log
(2.5 x 0.032 x 997.2 / 1.005× 10 -3) + log k.
3.64 = 0.35C + log k
k = 1.869x10-3
Log [(1.869x10-3 x 0.066 / 0.94x10-11) / (1.005 / 998.2 x 0.94x10-11) 0.5] = c log (4.17 x
0.032 x 998.2 / 1.005) + log k.
3.10 = 0.57C + log k
k = 0.011
Log [(0.011 x 0.066 / 0.94x10-11) / (1.005 / 998.2 x 0.94x10-11) 0.5] = c log (7.5 x 0.032 x
998.2 / 1.005) + log k.
3.87 = 0.83C + log k

DISCUSSION:
Tap water is what was used because of the unavailability of distilled water. With
this such challenges as bubbles on the surface of the salicylic tablet were
inevitable. Additionally measuring dimensions of the tablet was difficult for it kept
deforming.

RECOMMENDATIONS
 Plucking of bubbles formed with an clean un reactive material would have aided
mass transfer from the tablet.

CONCLUTION:
From the graph, the value of k and c was found to be 2884 and – 0.48 respectively

REFEENCE:
1. Heat and mass transfer,
By Rajput

2. Chemical engineering,
Volume 1, Sixth edition,
Coulson and Richardson’s
Pages 573 to 597