Name: Montoya, Oane, Padilla, Pasajol, Repel, Umandal,

Laboratory
Diffusivity Villanueva
Experiment Score:
Measurement Date Performed: 11/15/ 2017 Section: ChE - 4102
No: 1
Date Submitted: 11/28/2017 Instructor: Engr. Rejie C. Magnaye

I. INTRODUCTION

Diffusion is the mass transfer of an individual component through a stagnant mixture due
to a concentration gradient. The rate of diffusion is described by Ficks law:
dc A
J A DAB (1)
dz

where JA = molar flux of A in the z direction, relative to the total flow [mol/cm2s]
DAB = diffusivity, [cm2/sec]
cA = molar concentration of A [mol/cm3]
z = direction of concentration gradient [cm]

In diffusion, mass transfer occurs via random movements at the molecular level. Note
the similarity between Newtons law of viscosity (momentum transport), Fouriers law of
conduction (heat transport), and Ficks law of diffusion (mass transport). These laws describe
transport of different entities via the same random molecular process. Note that the system
must be stagnant for Ficks law to apply; if bulk mixing or turbulence is present, the overall rate
of mass transfer will be much greater than predicted due to convective transport.

In this experiment, our concern focuses on gaseous diffusion. Diffusivities in gases can
be predicted with considerable accuracy from kinetic theory, e.g., reference (2). The
theoretical correlations have been modified in the light of experimental data to give the semi-
empirical equation 1, shown below. It is equation (21.25), page 655, of reference (1).

0.01498T 1.81 1 / M A 1 / M b
0 .5

Dv (2)
pTcATcB
0.1405
V 0 .4
cA VcB0.4
2

In this equation, the units indicated must be used because of the empirical nature of the
relationship. Here:

MA, MB - molecular weights of components A & B, respectively

p - pressure, atm.
T - temperature, K
TcA, TcB - critical temperatures of A & B respectively, K
VcA, VcB - critical molar volumes of A & B respectively, cm3/ g mol

Critical molar volumes are tabulated in handbooks and textbooks, or can be estimated
from correlations in references (3,4,5,9, and 10). Other empirical equations are listed in
references (1,2,5,6, and 10).

II. INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

To understand Ficks law as it relates to the unimolecular diffusion of a volatile organic

compound in a stagnant column of air

ChE 415 | HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER

 Name: Montoya, Oane, Padilla, Pasajol, Repel, Umandal,
Laboratory
Diffusivity Villanueva
Experiment Score:
Measurement Date Performed: 11/15/ 2017 Section: ChE - 4102
No: 1
Date Submitted: 11/28/2017 Instructor: Engr. Rejie C. Magnaye

To measure and compare the evaporation rates for different volatile organic compounds
in a stagnant column of air
To compare the experimental diffusivity value with values reported in the literature.
To compare the experimental diffusivity value with a value predicted by an empirical
equation.
III. MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND REAGENTS

MATERIALS EQUIPMENTS REAGENTS

beaker Fume hood naphthalene
Anayltical Balance

IV. PROCEDURE

1. Select two to three different volatile compounds for your diffusion experiments. The
compounds chosen should have a normal boiling point or sublimation point above 50
C. It should not be soluble in water as this might result in the formation of a solution
with water vapor from the air, changing its vapor pressure characteristics. It should
have a molecular weight greater than that of air so as to prevent convection within the
cylinder.
2. Partially fill your glass tubes with volatile liquid/solid, and place your tubes upright in a
well-ventilated, temperature controlled room. If a low temperature oven is available, try
investigating diffusion as a function of temperature, however, use caution with
flammable solvents, since many ovens are not explosion proof.
3. Each substance should be run at least in duplicate. The mass transfer (evaporation)
rate of the volatile compound from the tube can be measured by the change in weight,
or by the change in height of the liquid.
4. Monitor the amount of volatile substance remaining in each tube as a function of time
over the course of several days.
5. Note that the diffusion path length increases as evaporation proceeds.
6. Write down the room/oven temperature each time you measure your tubes.
V. DATA AND RESULTS

Table No. 1

Ground Naphthalene (g) Solid Naphthalene (g)

2.45 2.47
2.39 2.45
2.38 2.44
2.37 2.44
2.32 2.43

ChE 415 | HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER

 Name: Montoya, Oane, Padilla, Pasajol, Repel, Umandal,
Laboratory
Diffusivity Villanueva
Experiment Score:
Measurement Date Performed: 11/15/ 2017 Section: ChE - 4102
No: 1
Date Submitted: 11/28/2017 Instructor: Engr. Rejie C. Magnaye

Diffusivity
2.5

2.47
2.45 2.45 2.45
2.44 2.44
2.43
Mass (g)

2.4
2.39 Ground Naphthalene
2.38
2.37 Solid Naphthalene
2.35

2.32
2.3
0 10 20 30 40
Time (minutes)

VI. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS

1. Can you explain how the equation you used to calculate experimental diffusivity
values was obtained from Ficks Law?
2. Can you explain differences in evaporation rates for different compounds knowing
the physical properties for each compound?
3. Why is it important that the length to diameter ration of the evaporation tube be
greater than 4.0?
4. What is the difference between mass transfer by diffusion versus mass transfer by
convection? Which process is faster?
5. What is the difference between unimolecular diffusion and equimolarcounter
diffusion?

Answers:

1. The equation for Fick's law was not used in this experiment since the data obtained
was only used to evaluate the difference in rate of diffusion of the ground and solid
naphthalene. Furthermore, the area used for the experiment was not temperature
controlled thus would promote errors in calculation. The local atmospheric pressure
of the laboratory was not determined as well preventing the group from empirical
calculations.
2. An increase in the compounds temperature would result to the promotion of more
rapid movement of the molecules hence would raise the chances of molecular
collision and the upsurge of its diffusion rate. The density affects diffusion rate in the
same manner with a higher number of molecules per unit area, there is a higher
chance for molecular collision. A large difference in concentration leads to a greater
probability of molecular collisions over the region and therefore increases the rate of

ChE 415 | HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER

 Name: Montoya, Oane, Padilla, Pasajol, Repel, Umandal,
Laboratory
Diffusivity Villanueva
Experiment Score:
Measurement Date Performed: 11/15/ 2017 Section: ChE - 4102
No: 1
Date Submitted: 11/28/2017 Instructor: Engr. Rejie C. Magnaye

diffusion. Generally, the greater the concentration gradient, the greater the rate of
diffusion.
3. The length to diameter ratio of the evaporation tube must be greater than 4 to allow
compounds to diffuse easily.
4. Mass transfer by diffusion is caused by a random molecule, where in the driving
force is a gradient in the fluid while mass transfer by diffusion is driven by a force of
bulk particles. Since mass transfer by convection involves the transport in bulk
particles, it offers a quicker process of mass transfer.
5. Equimolar counter-diffusion refers to the type of diffusion in which two flows of
different composition must balance each other in order for the process to advance.
Unimolecular diffusion is a type of diffusion of one component in another stagnant or
non-diffusing component.

VII. CONCLUSION

The above mentioned data displays the naphthalene diffuses faster in its ground
state compared to its solid state. Factors affecting the diffusion rate include the surface
area of naphthalene in contact with air. Moreover, the experimental data attained may be
adversely by external factors such as temperature and pressure.

VIII. RECOMMENDATION

The group endorses the utilization of other compounds specifically liquid ones.
The experimental setup must be done in a temperature-controlled laboratory with its
local atmospheric pressure determined to help in the determination of the diffusivity
coefficient. Any assumptions would result in deviation from the true value and may prove
the experiment erroneous. The physical properties of the compound must be recorded
as well for the aforesaid calculation. It is also plausible to conduct the experiment in a
longer period of time to promote greater mass diffusion. With this, the trend of diffusion
for the compound may be documented until completion.

IX. REFERENCES

Warren L. McCabe, Julian C. Smith and Peter Harriott, Unit Operations of Chemical
Engineering, Fifth Edition, McGraw-Hill Book Co. (1993).
R.B. Bird, W.E. Stewart and E.N. Lightfoot, Transport Phenomena, pp 508-513, Wiley
(1960).
R.H. Perry, C.H. Chilton and Sidney D. Kirkpatrick, Chemical Engineers' Handbook,
Fourth Edition, pp. 14-19 to 14-24, McGraw-Hill Book Co. (1963).
Robert H. Perry and Cecil H. Chilton, Chemical Engineers' Handbook, Fifth Edition, pp.
3-231 to 3-235, McGraw-Hill Book Co. (1973).
Robert H. Perry, Don W. Green and James O. Maloney, Chemical Engineers
Handbook, Sixth Edition, pp. 3-256,257,285,286, McGraw-Hill Book Co., (1984).
C.J. Geankoplis, Transport Processes and Unit Operations, Third Edition, Prentice Hall
PTR (1993).

ChE 415 | HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER

 Name: Montoya, Oane, Padilla, Pasajol, Repel, Umandal,
Laboratory
Diffusivity Villanueva
Experiment Score:
Measurement Date Performed: 11/15/ 2017 Section: ChE - 4102
No: 1
Date Submitted: 11/28/2017 Instructor: Engr. Rejie C. Magnaye

DOCUMENTATION
Preparation of Napthalene
Crushing of napthalene

Napthalene
Solid Ground

Weighing of Napthalene Before and After Diffusion

Solid

Before After

ChE 415 | HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER