NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY ROURKELA

Department of Chemical Engineering

End-Semester Examination, Session: 2020-2021 (Spring) [Online]
(B.Tech., 4th & Extended Semesters)

Subject Name: Mass Transfer Operations-I Subject Code: CH-2112

Duration: 02 hrs Full Marks: 50
There are FOUR questions. All questions are compulsory. Make necessary rational assumptions wherever
required. All symbols have their usual meaning. Figures at the right-hand margin indicate marks. Use of
regular graph papers are required.
Q. Particulars Marks
No.
(1) Answer to the following questions: 2×6=12

(a) Write mathematical expressions showing the dependency of mass transfer coefficient on
diffusion coefficient as predicted by film, penetration, surface renewal and boundary layer
theories.
(b) Name the experimental methods of measuring mass transfer coefficients and diffusion
coefficients.
(c) What are the physical significances of dimensionless Sherwood and Schmidt number in mass
transfer processes?
(d) What is the fundamental difference between Fickian and Knudsen type diffusions? Explain.
(e) In a binary system, the expression, DAB=DBA is true for what type of diffusion? If this
relationship holds, write down the expression for convective mass transfer, w.r.t NA.
(f) From the basic concepts of interphase mass transfer and two-film resistance theory, write-
down the mathematical expression among different mass transfer coefficients (when the system is
overall gas phase controlled). What are the terminologies representing the equation signify?

(2) An aqueous solution containing 40 mol% Methanol is to be separated at a rate of 300 kmol/h 15
using open steam as the source of heat energy. The top product must have 96 mol% Methanol
and the bottom product must not have more than 4 mol% Methanol in it. The feed enters the
column 50% vaporized. A reflux ratio of 2.25 is suitable. The equilibrium data for Methanol-
Water system at 101.3 kPa are given below:
x 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.95 1.0
y 0 0.13 0.23 0.3 0.37 0.42 0.58 0.67 0.73 0.78 0.82 0.87 0.92 0.96 0.98 1.0

Determine (a) The number of theoretical stages required for this separation (b) Location
of feed plate (c) The equation of the enriching section operating line (d) Minimum
number of trays under total reflux condition (e) Minimum reflux ratio when the feed is at
its boiling point.

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(3) It is desired to absorb 90% of the ethanol present in a gas containing 1 mol% ethanol in air in a 12

trayed tower operated counter-currently. The total inlet gas flow to the tower is 30 kmol/h and
the total inlet pure water flow to be used to absorb ethanol vapor is 90 kmol/h. The process is to
operate isothermally at 300 K and a total pressure 101.3 kPa. The equilibrium relationship for the
ethanol in the gas-liquid is y=2.53x. Determine (a) The number of theoretical stages required
for this separation using the graphical method. (ii) Verify and validate the graphical result
with Kremser’s analytical method. (iii) If the Murphree tray efficiency is 75%, what would
be the actual number of trays for the given separation?

(4) (a) An ethanol (A)-water (B) solution in the form of a stagnant film 2.0 mm thick at 293 K is in 6

contact at one surface with an organic solvent in which ethanol is soluble and water is insoluble.
At point 1, the concentration of ethanol is 16.8 wt.% and solution density 972.8 kg m-3. At point
2, the concentration of ethanol is 6.8 wt.% and 988.1 kg m-3.
The diffusivity of ethanol is 0.74×10-9 m2 sec-1. Calculate the steady state flux of ethanol.

(b) A large volume of pure gas B at 2 atmosphere pressure is flowing over a surface from which 5
pure A is vaporizing. The liquid A completely wets the surface, which is a blotting paper. The
partial pressure of A at the surface is the vapor pressure of A at 298 K, which is 0.2 atmosphere.
The k y/ has been estimated to be 6.78×10-5 kmol/(sec) (m2). Calculate k y , kG and N A .

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