Unit I - Session 3

CH312 MASS TRANSFER-I
Unit-I Introduction to Mass Transfer and Diffusion
Session-3
 Molecular Diffusion in Fluids & Diffusion Coefficient/ Diffusivity (DAB)
 Pressure and Temperature dependency of Diffusivity
 Diffusion in Binary Solution and gases
 Steady State Molecular Diffusion in Fluids
 Molecular Diffusion in Gases
13th July 2019

Molecular Mass Transfer
• Molecular diffusion
• Mass transfer law components:

A nA p A
• Molecular concentration: cA   
MA V RT
• Mole fraction: cA cA
xA  yA 
c c
(liquids, solids)
(gases)
p A RT p A
For gases, yA  
P RT P
Molecular Diffusion in Fluids & Diffusion Coefficient/
Diffusivity (DAB)
• Diffusion mainly depends upon the concentration gradient ( driving force for
mass transfer)
• Mass transfer phenomena is defined by Fick's First law of diffusion
• It states that molar flux is directly proportional to the concentration gradient
The diffusivity, DAB, of component A is solution in B which is a measure of its

diffusive mobility is defined as the ratio of its flux JA to the concentration
∂CA
gradient, ∂
Z
…(1)
This is FICK’S FIRST LAW OF DIFFUSION in Z-direction.

where;
JA = molar flux of A in Z-direction relative to the molar average
velocity. (mole/m2.sec.).
∂CA
∂Z = Concentration gradient of A in Z-direction (k mole/m3.m)
∂XA
∂Z = Mole fraction gradient of A in Z-direction (1/m)
DAB = Mass diffusivity or diffusion coefficient for A diffusing through

component B. (m2/s).
Note :
1. Negative sign indicates that diffusion occurs in the direction of drop in concentration.
2. Rate of transfer of A in a mixture of two components A and B will be determined not only by
the rate of diffusion of A but also behavior of B.
3. DAB is the diffusivity of A and B, a physical property of both components.
4. It is a characteristic of the constituent and its environment (pressure, temperature,
concentration whether in liquid, gas or solid solution and nature of other constituents).
Pressure and Temperature dependency of Diffusivity
Pressure dependence of diffusivity is given by: DAB ∝ 1/P

(for moderate ranges of pressures, up to 25 atm).
Temperature dependency is according to: DAB ∝ T3
Temperature Dependency of Diffusivity (DAB) in Liquids :
We can write as
T
DAB 

T1
 
(DAB)T1  1  T1
 
 2 
 
Hence, = =  1   T2
(DAB)T2 T2    
 2 
 
 T1 2 
 (DAB)T1=(DAB)T2   
 1 T2
Where, (DAB)T1 =Diffusivity of A in B at temperature T1
(DAB)T2 =Diffusivity of A in B at temperature T2
Diffusion in Binary Solution
I. Box with partition P.

II. Add H2O / Ethanol.
III. Remove Partition P.
Illustration of Diffusion in Binary Solution
• Consider the box which is separated into two parts by the partition P.
• Into section-I, 1 kg water (A) is placed and into section-II 1 kg ethanol (B)
(the densities of the liquids in each section are the same)
• Imagine the partition to be carefully removed, thus allowing diffusion of both liquids to
occur.
• When diffusion stops, the concentration will be uniform throughout at 50 mass% of
each constituents
• If the direction to the right is taken as positive, the flux NA of A relative to the fixed
position P has been positive and the flux NB of B has been negative.
Diffusion in Binary Gases
…(2)
…(3)
…(4)
…(5)
…(6)
…(7)
…(8)
Greater the diffusivity, greater the flux!

Steady State Molecular Diffusion in Fluids
• In above discussion, we have considered Fick’s law for diffusion in

stationary fluid ( No convective flow or bulk flow of mixture)
• Now, we derive a general expression for flux NA , considers the whole fluid
moving in bulk with average molar velocity and ids diffusional flux.
• Hence, the molar flux NA can be expressed as the sum of molar average
velocity and diffusional flux , JA
• For steady state, the net flux is
NA + NB =N …(9)
The movement of A is made up of two parts:
(a) That resulting from bulk motion N and fraction XA
of N that is A.
(b) That resulting from molecular diffusion JA of A
itself, w.r.t, the average molar velocity.
 NA = NXA + JA …(10)
From equation (9) and (10) we get,
CA ∂CA
NA = (NA + NB) C – DAB ∂z …(11)
Similar equation for component B is,
CA ∂CB
…(12)
NB = (NA + NB) C – DBA ∂z
…(13)
11
…(14)
Eq.11
…(15)
…(16)
…(17)
Molecular Diffusion in Gases
…(18)
…(19)
Substituting Eq. 19 in Eq.17, gives
…(20)
…(21)
Thank You

Unit I - Session 3

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Unit I - Session 3

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CH312 MASS TRANSFER-I

Unit-I Introduction to Mass Transfer and Diffusion

13th July 2019

• Mass transfer law components:

The diffusivity, DAB, of component A is solution in B which is a measure of its

This is FICK’S FIRST LAW OF DIFFUSION in Z-direction.

DAB = Mass diffusivity or diffusion coefficient for A diffusing through

Pressure dependence of diffusivity is given by: DAB ∝ 1/P

Temperature Dependency of Diffusivity (DAB) in Liquids :

I. Box with partition P.

Greater the diffusivity, greater the flux!

• In above discussion, we have considered Fick’s law for diffusion in

• For steady state, the net flux is

Similar equation for component B is,

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