National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli

Department of Chemical Engineering

B.Tech. (Chemical Engineering) – V Semester

Subject: CLPC20 – Mass Transfer

Exam: 2nd Assessment Max. Marks: 30
Date: 23/11/2020 Duration: 2 hrs

1. Two bulbs are connected by a tube, 2mm in diameter and 200 mm in length. One bulb
contains Argon and other contains Xenon. Diffusion occurs between the two bulbs at
378K and 101.3 kPa. The concentration of argon at two bulbs at a certain time after
diffusion are 75% (mole) & 20% (mole), respectively. The binary diffusivity coefficient is
1.8 × 10-5 m2/s. calculate a.the rate of diffusion of argon & xenon in kmol/h and b.the
species velocities relative to stationary coordinates in m/s. (3)
2. In an oxygen-nitrogen gas mixture at 1atm. & 30ºC, the concentration of oxygen at two
planes 0.4 cm apart are 15% and 30% (by volume) respectively. Calculate the flux of
oxygen when nitrogen is non-diffusing. Diffusivity of oxygen in nitrogen is 0.32 cm2/s.
(2)
3. The graph given below represents the behavior of an absorption column. Discuss the
situation in detail. (2)

4. List & explain the desirable properties of solvent in an absorption process. (2)

5. H2S is to be removed from a mixture of H2S and CH4 using monoethanolamine (MW-
61.08) as solvent. The feed gas containing 20% H2S is admitted to a plate absorption
column at a rate of 2000 m3/h at 303 K and 101.3 kPa. The equilibrium relation y = 1.1x is
found to be applicable. If it is desired to remove 90% of the H2S from the gas, determine:
a. minimum solvent flow rate, kmol/h, b. the number of theoretical plates required by
graphical method & c. the number of theoretical plate using Kremser equation. (7)

6. In a Gas-Liquid contact operation, corrosive liquid is to be handled which is best suited to

remove the pollutant of low concentration from a gas mixture. Suggest the best suitable
mass transfer operation that can be employed to effectively remove the pollutant and also
arrive at the suitable design equation for that operation. (5)
7. A mixture of benzene and nitrogen gas at 105 kPa & 330 K contains benzene vapour to
the extent a partial pressure of 15 kPa. The vapour pressure is given by the Antoine
2795.817
equation,
= ln P s 14.39155 − , where the pressure is in kPa & the temperature
T − 43.198
is in K. Determine the following, a. molal humidity, b. absolute humidity, c. molal
saturation humidity & d. Absolute saturation humidity. (3)

8. State the major difference between absorption and humidification operation. (1)

9. Describe the concept of adiabatic saturation temperature. (3)

10. Explain the importance of make-up water requirement in a cooling tower. (2)

***