EPF 3105 Food Process Engineering

Laboratory 2


LECTURER NAME : Dr. Roseliza Binti Kadir Basha
SESSION TIME : Wednesday (2.00P.M. - 5.00PM)
GROUP : 4

GROUP MEMBERS:
Lee ZiQing 168587
Nur Leha Binti Mansor 170016
Norhafiza Binti Kamal 170078
NurAin Binti Mohd Jaafar 167219
Siti Nur Adibah Binti Hamzah 167259



Faculty of Engineering

UN I V E R S I T I PU T R A MA L A Y S I A
Experiment 10: Naphthalene sublimation by convection / convective mass transfer
Introduction:
The naphthalene sublimation technique is an experimental technique employed to
determined heat transfer coefficients in convection flows. The basic characteristic of the
techniques is that the heat transfer problem to be investigated is replaced by analogous mass
transfer problem. In the laboratory, only mass transfer experiments are performed, and then heat
transfer results are obtained by exploring the concept of analogy between heat and mass transfer.
Naphthalene is employed in the mass transfer experiment because of some of its properties, such
as the fact that it sublimes at room temperature, its low toxicity and its good casting and
machining properties.
A typical apparatus employed in naphthalene sublimation forced-convection experiments
consists basically of an open loop flow circuit. The circuit includes a test section, where the
naphthalene pieces are exposed to the airstream, a flow or velocity-measurement section and a
blower.
The flow circuit is normally operated in the suction mode, and the test section is located
at the upstream end of the circuit. The choice of such an arrangement guarantees that the flowing
air will not be heated or contaminated with lubricating oil in the blower before it reaches the test
section.
In typical applications of the technique, it is desirable to make certain that the air entering
the flow circuit is free of naphthalene vapour. In other words, it is convenient that the air
entering the test section has its bulk mass fraction of naphthalene vapour equal to zero. The main
reason for such practice is to avoid complicated mass-fraction measurements in determining the
air inlet conditions. To achieve this zero mass-fraction inlet condition, it is crucial that the
environment from where fresh air is drawn into the flow circuit has no connections with the
environment to where air containing naphthalene vapour is exhausted.
In natural convection experiments, the experimental apparatus acquires different
characteristics. The test section with the naphthalene pieces is normally held by a frame that
often allows change of orientation of the active surfaces with respect to the driving body force
field. In situations of external or open-cavity flows, protection against stray air currents must be
provided, such as a protecting enclosure or a surrounding channel. This protection must be
designed such that possible changes in freestream concentration of naphthalene vapour are kept
to a minimum; otherwise the mass transfer rates may be seriously affected. Due to the typically
low mass transfer coefficients, enough sublimation is achieved only with data runs that last
several hours. Hence, to prevent significant changes in the mass-fraction boundary condition
during the experiments, the air temperature should be controlled very tightly.

Objective:
To determine the rate of naphthalene sublimation and compare with calculated results.

Materials and Apparatus:
1. Naphthalene sphere
2. Aerodynamic unit
3. Pitot tube
4. Thermometer
5. Digital weighing scale




PROCEDURE
1. In this experiment, 3 naphthalene spheres were used.
2. Naphthalene sphere #1 and metal rod was weighed by using the digital weighing scale.
3. Weights of both of it were recorded.
4. The metal rod was heated then it was used to poke the naphthalene sphere and worked as
the naphthalene holder throughout this experiment.
5. The naphthalene was then placed in the aerodynamic unit.
6. The area of aerodynamic unit was set to 30% for naphthalene #1.
7. Start button was pressed.
8. The process was taking 10 minutes then the stop button was pressed.
9. The naphthalene was weighed again and the value of it was recorded.
10. The process was repeated for three times for each sample.

Result:
Table 1: Results obtained from the experiment of sublimation of naphthalene in 30% of
Area of Aerodynamic Unit
Time
(minutes)
Temperature
(C)
Velocity of air
(m/s)
Weight (g)
10 25.9 9.4 3.179
20 25.2 9.1 3.170
30 24.6 8.8 3.154

Temperature = 25.2 C (298.2 K)
Velocity of air = 9.1 m/s
Initial mass of naphthalene = 3.193 g
Final mass of naphthalene = 3.154 g
Initial diameter of naphthalene = 1.8 cm
CALCULATION
Constant properties:
Density, = 1.170 kg/m
3

Diffusivity, D
naphthalene vapor + air@25.8C
= 6.1346 x 10
-6
m
2
/s
Viscosity of air, = 1.864 x 10
-5
Pa.s
Gas constant, R = 8314 J/K.kg mol


Experimentally
M s
ublimated (experimentally)
= initial weight of the naphthalene final weight of the naphthalene
= 3.193g -3.154g
= 0.039 g
In 30 minutes, the mass of naphthalene sublimated is 0.039g in 30% area open of aerodynamic
unit.

The molecular weight of naphthalene, C
10
H
8
= [10(12) + 8] = 128 kg/kg mol
The number of mole, n =

= 0.02495 mol

Total amount sublimated (experimentally) =

x



= 1.693 x 10
-10
kg mol/s

Theoretically:
The Schmidt number is
N
Sc
=

= 2.597
The Reynolds number is
N
Re
=

vD

=

= 1.8077 10
4

For gases, for a Schmidt number range of 0.6-2.7 and a Reynolds number range of 1-48000,

= 138.89
The Sherwood number is

138.89 =

= 0.047 m/s

From the table 7.2-1 (Textbook of Transport processes and Separation Process Principle)

Hence, for T = 25.2 + 273 = 298.2 K

kgmol/s.m
2
.Pa

Since the gas is dilute,

and

.
Therefore,

kg mol/s.m
2
.Pa
From the naphthalene vapor pressure versus temperature graph, the pressure is 8.8 Pa when the
temperature is 25.2 C.
Note that p
A1
= 8.8 Pa and p
A2
=0 Pa (pure air)

(8.8- 0)
= 1.66872 10
-7
kg mol/s.m
2

= 1.6682 10
-7
where M is the molecular weight of naphthalene= 128kg/kg mol
= 2.1353 10
-5
kg/m
2
.s

M
sublimated (calculated )
=

= 3.91 10
-5
kg
= 0.03912 g


The area of the sphere, A =

= 1.018 10
-3
m


Total amount sublimated (calculated) =


= 1.6687 10
-7
1.018 10
-3

= 1.6987 10
-10
kg mol/s

M
sublimated (experimentally)
= 0.039 g
M
sublimated (calculated)
= 0.03912 g
Total amount sublimated (experimentally) = 1.693 x 10
-10
kg mol/s
Total amount sublimated (calculated) = 1.6987 x 10
-10
kg mol/s

Percentage error of mass sublimated
% error M
sublimated
=
-

100%
=

= 0.31 %





Table 2: Results obtained from the experiment of sublimation of naphthalene in 60% of
Area of Aerodynamic Unit
Time
(minutes)
Temperature
(C)
Velocity of air
(m/s)
Weight (g)
10 26.1 22.7 3.097
20 26.0 22.1 3.092
30 26.5 24.9 3.076

Temperature = 26.2 C (299.2 K)
Velocity of air = 23.2 m/s
Initial mass of naphthalene = 3.112 g
Final mass of naphthalene = 3.076 g
Initial diameter of naphthalene = 1.8 cm

CALCULATION
Constant properties:
Density, = 1.170 kg/m
3

Diffusivity, D
naphthalene vapor + air@25.8C
= 6.1346 x 10
-6
m
2
/s
Viscosity of air, = 1.864 x 10
-5
Pa.s
Gas constant, R = 8314 J/K.kg mol


Experimentally
M s
ublimated (experimentally)
= initial weight of the naphthalene final weight of the naphthalene
= 3.112g -3.076g
= 0.036 g
In 30 minutes, the mass of naphthalene sublimated is 0.036g in 60% area open of aerodynamic
unit.

The molecular weight of naphthalene, C
10
H
8
= [10(12) + 8] = 128 kg/kg mol
The number of mole, n =

= 0.02431 mol

Total amount sublimated (experimentally) =

x



= 1.5625 x 10
-10
kg mol/s

Theoretically:
The Schmidt number is
N
Sc
=

= 2.597
The Reynolds number is
N
Re
=

vD

=

= 1.8077 10
4

For gases, for a Schmidt number range of 0.6-2.7 and a Reynolds number range of 1-48000,

= 138.89
The Sherwood number is

138.89 =

= 0.047 m/s

From the table 7.2-1 (Textbook of Transport processes and Separation Process Principle)

Hence, for T = 26.2 + 273 = 299.2 K

kgmol/s.m
2
.Pa

Since the gas is dilute,

and

.
Therefore,

kg mol/s.m
2
.Pa
From the naphthalene vapor pressure versus temperature graph, the pressure is 9.7 Pa when the
temperature is 26.2 C.
Note that p
A1
= 9.7 Pa and p
A2
=0 Pa (pure air)

(9.7- 0)
= 1.8327 10
-7
kg mol/s.m
2

= 1.8327 10
-7
where M is the molecular weight of naphthalene= 128kg/kg mol
= 2.3459 10
-5
kg/m
2
.s

M
sublimated (calculated )
=

= 4.30 10
-5
kg
= 0.04298 g


The area of the sphere, A =

= 1.018 10
-3
m


Total amount sublimated (calculated) =


= 1.8327 10
-7
1.018 10
-3

= 1.8657 10
-10
kg mol/s

M
sublimated (experimentally)
= 0.036 g
M
sublimated (calculated)
= 0.04298 g
Total amount sublimated (experimentally) = 1.5625 x 10
-10
kg mol/s
Total amount sublimated (calculated) = 1.8657 10
-10
kg mol/s

Percentage error of mass sublimated
% error M
sublimated
=
-

100%
=

= 16.24 %







Table 3: Results obtained from the experiment of sublimation of naphthalene in 90% of
Area of Aerodynamic Unit
Time
(minutes)
Temperature
(C)
Velocity of air
(m/s)
Weight (g)
10 27.6 28.0 3.110
20 27.7 28.2 3.082
30 26.8 27.8 3.053

Temperature = 27.4 C (299.2 K)
Velocity of air = 28.0 m/s
Initial mass of naphthalene = 3.111 g
Final mass of naphthalene = 3.053 g
Initial diameter of naphthalene = 1.8 cm

CALCULATION
Constant properties:
Density, = 1.170 kg/m
3

Diffusivity, D
naphthalene vapor + air@25.8C
= 6.1346 x 10
-6
m
2
/s
Viscosity of air, = 1.864 x 10
-5
Pa.s
Gas constant, R = 8314 J/K.kg mol


Experimentally
M s
ublimated (experimentally)
= initial weight of the naphthalene final weight of the naphthalene
= 3.111g -3.053g
= 0.058 g
In 30 minutes, the mass of naphthalene sublimated is 0.058 in 90% area open of aerodynamic
unit.

The molecular weight of naphthalene, C
10
H
8
= [10(12) + 8] = 128 kg/kg mol
The number of mole, n =

= 0.02430 mol

Total amount sublimated (experimentally) =

x



= 2.5174 x 10
-10
kg mol/s

Theoretically:
The Schmidt number is
N
Sc
=

= 2.597
The Reynolds number is
N
Re
=

vD

=

= 1.8077 10
4

For gases, for a Schmidt number range of 0.6-2.7 and a Reynolds number range of 1-48000,

= 138.89
The Sherwood number is

138.89 =

= 0.047 m/s

From the table 7.2-1 (Textbook of Transport processes and Separation Process Principle)

Hence, for T = 27.4 + 273 = 300.4 K

kgmol/s.m
2
.Pa

Since the gas is dilute,

and

.
Therefore,

kg mol/s.m
2
.Pa
From the naphthalene vapor pressure versus temperature graph, the pressure is 10.9 Pa when the
temperature is 27.4 C.
Note that p
A1
= 10.9Pa and p
A2
=0 Pa (pure air)

(10.9- 0)
= 2.0512 10
-7
kg mol/s.m
2

= 2.0512 10
-7
where M is the molecular weight of naphthalene= 128kg/kg mol
= 2.6255 10
-5
kg/m
2
.s

M
sublimated (calculated )
=

= 4.81 10
-5
kg
= 0.04810 g


The area of the sphere, A =

= 1.018 10
-3
m


Total amount sublimated (calculated) =


= 2.0512 10
-7
1.018 10
-3

= 2.0881 10
-10
kg mol/s

M
sublimated (experimentally)
= 0.058 g
M
sublimated (calculated)
= 0.04810 g
Total amount sublimated (experimentally) = 2.5174 x 10
-10
kg mol/s
Total amount sublimated (calculated) = 2.0881 10
-10
kg mol/s
Percentage error of mass sublimated
% error M
sublimated
=
-

100%
=

= 20.58 %







Discussion:
From the result in this experiment, area of the aerodynamic unit will affect the flow rate
and temperature of the air. We choose 3 area of aerodynamic unit that will give 3 different
results from the experiment. 3 different areas of aerodynamic unit are 30%, 60% and 90%.
Firstly, we are using 30% area of aerodynamic unit. We can see that the mass of the
naphthalene reduced from 3.193g to 3.154g with difference of 0.039g. The value of flow rate and
temperature in first 10 minutes is 9.4 m/s and 25.9
o
C respectively. For the second and third 10
minutes, the flow rate and temperature are 9.1m/s,25.2
o
C and 8.8m/s,24.6
o
C respectively. From
the results, mass of naphthalene reduced slowly with decreasing in temperature and flow rate of
the air. The experimental value of sublimation rate is 1.693 x 10
-10
kg mol/s while theoretical
value is 1.6987 x 10
-10
kg mol/s. Percentage error for sublimation rate is 0.31 %.
Second part, by using 60% area of aerodynamic unit, the mass of the naphthalene reduced
faster than using a 30% area of aerodynamic unit. Mass of naphthalene before experiment is
3.112g and final value after 30 minutes is 3.076g with difference of 0.036 g. Theoretically, the
mass difference should be larger than using 30% area of aerodynamic unit. It is because the flow
rate tend to be faster and the convection diffusion must be faster as well. However, some of the
experimental error occurred during experiment, which never cause the mass difference to be
larger than that. The factor that cause it to happen might not proper handling of naphthalene and
inconsistent shape of naphthalene compare to the previous one. The value of flow rate and
temperature of 60% area of aerodynamic unit in first 10 minutes is 22.7m/s and 26.1
o
C
respectively. For second and third 10 minutes, flow rate and temperature value are 22.1m/s ,26.0

o
C and 24.9m/s, 26.5
o
C respectively. The experimental value of sublimation rate is 1.5625 x 10
-
10
kg mol/s while theoretical value is 1.8657 10
-10
kg mol/s. Percentage of error in this
experiment is quite big which is 16.24 %. There might be some error during experiment. For
example, disturbance during the air flow when there has blocker at inlet of the equipment. This
might affect the result in experiment. There has also zero error during weighing naphthalene
before and after experiment.
Lastly, using 90% area of aerodynamic unit, the mass of naphthalene decreased fastest by
time. The mass of naphthalene before experiment is 3.131g and final value is 3.053g with
difference of 0.058 g. By this result, we can determine that the area of the aerodynamic unit
gives big impact on flow rate and temperature of the air. The flow rate and temperature for the
first 10 minutes is 28.0m/s and 27.6
o
C respectively. For the second and third 10 minutes, flow
rate and temperature of the air flow slightly decreasing as you can determine it in the result data.
The experimental value of sublimation rate is 2.5174 x 10
-10
kg mol/s while theoretical value is
2.0881 10
-10
kg mol/s. Percentage error for sublimation rate is 20.58 %. The percentage error is
high might be because of the air surrounding that already reduced the mass of naphthalene before
experiment. Furthermore, we used hand to touch the naphthalene when measured the weight
might cause the reduction of size as well.
From the result mention before, we can determine that mass of naphthalene decreased
when high percentage of area of aerodynamic unit is applied. This is due the faster flow rate and
thus faster mass convection. Reducing of mass is due to the sublimation of the naphthalene by
force air. The area of the aerodynamic unit will affect the flow rate and temperature of the air.
The increasing temperature and air flow causes a marked reduction of the sample radius as the
mass of naphthalene reduced by time. This is because the flow rate and temperature is high and
causing the rate of sublimation increased.
In the first stage, the sublimation rate increases in time because the temperature of the
surface sample rises and affects both desorption of molecules from the solid and movement of
the vapour formed by the diffusion layer which is the sublimation heat, the naphthalene vapour
pressure at the interface gassolid, and the diffusion coefficient of the naphthalene vapours in air
are functions of temperature.
Dimensionless parameters are often used to correlate convective transfer data. In
momentum transfer Reynolds number and friction factor play a major role. In the correlation of
convective heat transfer data, Prandtl and Nusselt numbers are important. Some of the same
parameters, along with some newly defined dimensionless numbers, will be useful in the
correlation of convective mass-transfer data.



Conclusions:
A number of mass transfer experiments have been planned and performed in order to
obtain sublimation rate for naphthalene spherical samples at various operating conditions which
are area of aerodynamic unit, temperature and air flow rate. Analysing the experimental data, it
was observed that by increasing air flow rate and temperature, an increase in the rate of
sublimation occur. Naphthalene sublimation rate increases in time due to increased temperature
of solidgas interface. Mass transfer takes place only in a single phase either to or from a phase
boundary, as in sublimation of naphthalene into the moving air.

References:
1. Curteanu,S., Smarandoiu, M., Horoba, D., Leon, F. (2013). Naphthalene Sublimation.
Experiment and Optimisation Based on Neuro-Evolutionary Methodology. Retrieved
from http://users.cs.tuiasi.ro/~fleon/papers/1305.pdf
2. Wilk, J. (2014). Application of Mass/Heat Transfer Analogy in the Investigation of
Convective Heat Transfer in Stationary and Rotating Short Minichannels. Retrieved from
http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs-wm/13196.pdf
3. Bieniasz, B. & Wilk, J. (1995). Forced convection mass/heat transfer coefficient at the
surface of the rotor of the sucking and forcing regenerative exchanger. International
Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 38, 1, 1823-1830, ISSN:0017-9310







Appendix:

Figure 1: Naphthalene sphere being weighed

Figure 2: Aerodynamic Unit

Figure 3: Placement of specimen in the machine