CL 319 [S1] Homework 3

Due date: 25-Aug-2022

1. [Cussler] You need to estimate an overall mass transfer coefficient for solute
adsorption from an aqueous solution of density 1.3 g/cm3 into hydrogel beads 0.03
cm in diameter.
The mass transfer coefficient, 𝑘𝑠 , in the solution is 10-3 cm/sec; that within the beads
is given by

𝐷
𝑘𝐵 = 6
𝑑

where 𝑑 is the particle diameter and 𝐷 is the diffusion coefficient, equal here to 3 x
10-6 cm2/sec. Because the beads are of hydrogel, the partition coefficient is one.
Estimate the overall mass transfer coefficient based on solution side and beads side.
Sketch concentration profile of the solute in the solution side and the beads side. Be
neat.
2. A carcinogen present in water at 500 parts per million (kg per million kg of water) is to
be removed by blowing air through it. What is the driving force for mass transfer
based on overall mass transfer coefficient on air side at the beginning of the removal
process? The equilibrium relation for the carcinogen is 𝑦 = 150𝑥, where 𝑦 and 𝑥 are
mass fractions in air and water phases.
3. A fermentation beer (essentially water) contains 66 mg/L of an enzyme. This
enzyme is to be extracted into propylene glycol, which is immiscible with the beer.
When the concentration of the enzyme in the glycol is 0.5 mg/L, what is the
concentration driving force for the enzyme transfer based on a overall mass transfer
coefficient on beer side? The partition coefficient for the enzyme, relating its
concentration in beer [mg/L] to its concentration in the glycol [mg/L], is 103 in favour
of glycol.
4. Case 1: Ammonia dissolution in dilute sulphuric acid is controlled by gas phase
resistance
Case 2: Methane dissolution in water is completely dominated by liquid side
resistance
For these two cases, sketch and label concentration profiles for mass transfer. Be
neat.
5. Calculate the percentage resistance offered by the air and water phase to the
transfer of chloroform. The mass transfer coefficients of chloroform in air is 0.16
cm/s and in water it is 8.2 x 10-3 cm/s. The equilibrium relation is 𝑦 = 170𝑥 where
𝑥 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 are the mole fractions in the water and air phases. Pressure is 2.2 atm and
temperature is 30 oC.
6. For problem 5, does the mass transfer of chloroform occur from air phase to water
phase or other way round, if the concentration of chloroform in both phases is 5
milligram per liter?
7. In which direction does oxygen transfer? Nitrogen to water or water to nitrogen?
Oxygen concentration in water is 6.25 x 10-5 molar, nitrogen contains 1% (vol/vol)
oxygen, total pressure is 3 atm, temperature is 25 oC, Henry’s law constant is 43,000
atm.