MASS TRANSFER FUNDAMENTALS

Diffusion Coefficient

Dr. M. Azam Saeed

 Diffusion coefficient

The proportionality factor of Fick’s law is called diffusivity or

diffusion coefficient which can be defined as the ratio of the flux to
its concentration gradient and its unit is m2/s. It is a function of the
temperature, pressure, nature and concentration of other
constituents.
 Relationship between diffusivity and
pressure
Diffusivity decreases with increase in pressure (DAB ∝ 1/p for
moderate ranges of pressures, up to 25 atm) because number of
collisions between species is less at lower pressure. But the diffusivity is
hardly dependent on pressure in case of liquid.
Relationship between diffusivity and
temperature

The diffusivity increases with increase in temperature

(DAB∝T1.5) because random thermal movement of molecules

increases with increase in temperature.
 Diffusivity of gas, liquid, and
solid

The diffusivity is generally higher for gases (in the range of

0.5×10-5 to 1.0 × 10-5 m2 /s) than for liquids (in the range of 10-10
to 10-9 m2 /s).
 Diffusion is almost impossible in solids (in the range of 10-13
m2/s) because the particles are too closely packed and strongly held
together with no ‘empty space’ for particles to move through.
Solids diffuse much slower than liquids because intermolecular
forces in solid are stronger enough to hold the solid molecules
together.
The density of gas is three
orders of magnitude lower
than that of liquid or solid.
GAS PHASE DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT (MEASUREMENT
AND PREDICTION):

• Three methods for estimation of gas phase diffusion coefficient.

I. Twin bulb method
II. Use of Stefan tube
III. Predictive equations
TWIN BULB METHOD:

• The apparatus consists of two large bulbs or chambers of volumes

V1 and V2 connected by a narrow tube fitted with a plug valve or
stop cock.
TWIN BULB METHOD:

• Initially the valve is kept closed and the bulbs are evacuated.
• One of the bulbs is flushed with pure A and other with pure B and
then filled with the gases at the same pressure P.
• The valve is then opened to allow diffusion to start and continue
for some time, at the end of which valve is closed.
• Samples of gases from the bulbs are taken and analyzed for their
composition.
• Equiumolar counter diffusion through the connecting tube occurs
as the total pressure in the bulbs remain constant and equal.
TWIN BULB METHOD:
• For equimlar counter diffusion,

• If a is the inner cross section of the connecting tube, l is the

length and pA1 and pA2 (pA1 > pA2)are the partial pressures of A in
the bulbs at any time t, the steady state rate of mass transport of
A from bulb 1 to bulb 2 is ,

-------(1)
TWIN BULB METHOD:
• If CA1 and CA2 are the concentration of A in bulbs

• Adding the above two equations,

• Putting the value of NA from equation 1,

TWIN BULB METHOD:

• Using the conditions,

• Integrating between the above limits,

USE OF STEFAN TUBE

• This method is suitable when component A is a volatile liquid and

component B is a gas insoluble in A.
• The apparatus consists of a vertical glass tube sealed at bottom
and joined to a larger diameter horizontal tube to form a tee.
USE OF STEFAN TUBE
• The volatile liquid A is taken in the vertical narrow tube and the
gas B is passed through the horizontal tube.
• The liquid A evaporates and diffuses through the mixture of A and
B in the vertical tube, reaches the top and is swept away by the
flowing stream of gas B.
• Gas B is insoluble in A and it is not diffusing.
• The liquid level in vertical tube will drop very slowly with time
and it is noted.
• At any time t, the liquid level be at a distance z from the top of
vertical tube, pA1 be the partial pressure of A at surface and pA2
at the top, then,
USE OF STEFAN TUBE

• Iffall in the liquid level is dz in a small time dt, the number of

moles of A that diffuse out is where a is the inner
cross section of the vertical tube.
• For time dt,

• If at time t=0 the liquid level is at z0 from the top and at time
t’the liquid level is z’, integrating
PREDICTIVE EQUATIONS FOR THE GAS PHASE
DIFFUSIVITY:
• Experimental diffusivity values for a large number of binary gas
mixtures are available in literature but for some mixtures no
experimental data has been reported so estimation of diffusivity
is done using a suitable predictive equation or correlation.

I. CHAPMAN-ENSKOG EQUATION:
PREDICTIVE EQUATIONS FOR THE GAS PHASE
DIFFUSIVITY:
PREDICTIVE EQUATIONS FOR THE GAS PHASE
DIFFUSIVITY:
PREDICTIVE EQUATIONS FOR THE GAS PHASE
DIFFUSIVITY:

II. FULLER SCHETTLER & GIDDINGS EQUATION:

PREDICTIVE EQUATIONS FOR THE GAS PHASE
DIFFUSIVITY: