SOLTEQ® EQUIPMENT FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

OPERATING & EXPERIMENT MANUAL

GASEOUS
DIFFUSION
COEFFICIENT
MODEL: BP10

SOLUTION ENGINEERING SDN. BHD.

3, JALAN TPK 2/4, TAMAN PERINDUSTRIAN KINRARA
47100 PUCHONG, SELANGOR, MALAYSIA
TEL: (603) 8075 8000 FAX: (603) 8075 5784
E-MAIL: solution@solution.com.my
WEBSITE: www.solution.com.my

170-0711-BP
SOLTEQ GAS DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 10)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................1

2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................................3

2.1 Description ..............................................................................................................3
2.2 Installation and Assembly .......................................................................................3
2.3 Safety Considerations .............................................................................................4
2.4 Maintenance ...........................................................................................................4

3.0 SUMMARY OF THEORY .....................................................................................................5

4.0 GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES ...........................................................................7

4.1 General Start-Up Procedures…………………………………………………………… 7
4.2 Priming Procedure for Capillary Tube…………………………………………………..7
4.3 General Shut-Down Procedures……………………………………………………… ..8

5.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE .........................................................................................9

6.0 REFERENCES................................................................................................................... 10

APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: SAMPLE TABLE FOR COLLECTION DATA
APPENDIX B: TYPICAL EXPERIMENTAL RESULT
APPENDIX C: SAMPLE CALCULATION
SOLTEQ® GASEOUS DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 10)

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The knowledge of physical and chemical properties of certain materials is important because
very often process engineering deal with the transformation and distribution of these materials
in bulk. One such property is diffusivity. Mass transfer by diffusion takes place when there is a
concentration gradient of the diffusing component.

The SOLTEQ® Gaseous Diffusion Coefficient Apparatus (Model: BP 10) has been
designed for students experiment on the technique of determining diffusivity of the vapour of a
volatile liquid based on the established Winkelmann’s method. In this method the volatile liquid
is allowed to evaporate in a vertical glass tube over the top of which a stream of vapour-free
gas is passed. A water bath is provided for maintaining a steady temperature so that there is no
eddy current in the vertical tube and mass transfer takes place from the surface by molecular
diffusion alone. The rate of evaporation can be followed by the rate of fall of the liquid surface.
With the knowledge of the concentration gradient, the diffusivity of the vapour of the volatile
liquid can then be calculated.

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SOLTEQ® GASEOUS DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 10)

Figure 1: Diagram for gaseous diffusion coefficient apparatus.

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SOLTEQ® GASEOUS DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 10)

2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

2.1 Description

The BP 10 consists of these main components:

1. Constant Temperature Water Bath

a) Rectangular Water Tank
Capacity : approx. 7.5 L
Material : Clear Acrylic
b) Cartridge Heater, W1
Power : 2 x 500 watts
c) RTD Temperature Sensor, TIC01
d) Temperature Controller, TIC01
Brand/Model : SHINKO/ACS-13A
Input : RTD
e) Level Switch
Brand/Model : RIKO/RFS-11A-2

2. Capillary Tube
T-shape Vertical Tube
Material : Borosilicate Glass
O.D. : 6 mm
Thickness : 1.2 mm
Height : 100 mm

3. Aquarium air pump

Brand/Model : SHANDA – SP-1000

4. Traveling Telescope
Brand : Specwell

2.2 Installation and Assembly

The BP 10 has been designed for bench mounting on a firm level surface.

The BP 10 only requires connection to a single-phase 240VAC electrical supply.

The BP 10 is supplied with most of the components pre-installed.

The BP 10 only requires an initial filling of water prior to conducting experiments.

The BP 10 only requires the user to connect the glass capillary tube to the air supply
line using the tubing provided.

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SOLTEQ® GASEOUS DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 10)

2.3 Safety Considerations

1. The unit must be operated under the supervision of an authorized staff that has
been properly trained to handle the unit.
2. All operating instructions supplied with the unit must be carefully read and
understood before attempting to operate the unit.
3. Feed stock which severely affects PTFE, PFA, PVC and borosilicate glass are not
to be used.
4. The system should not be subjected to shock, sudden impact, vibration, additional
load, or permanent external action of aggressive vapours.
5. Always check and rectify any leak.
6. Be extremely careful when handling hazardous, flammable or polluting materials.
7. Restore the system to operating conditions after any repair job.
8. Only a properly trained staff shall be allowed to carry out any servicing.
Manufacturer's manual must always be observed.
9. Do not use any coarse or abrasive cleaners on glass and plastic components.
10. Leaking couplings or fittings should be carefully retightened. Replace any gaskets
or seals if necessary.
11. Do not operate heater in dry condition.

2.4 Maintenance

1. Regular servicing/maintenance shall only be performed by qualified personnel who

understand the operation of the equipment.

2. Do not operate the equipment if any of the components is found to be faulty.

Consult the manufacturer/supplier for assistance.

3. Disconnect the equipment from electrical supply when not in use.

4. Drain the water from the water bath if the equipment is not to be used for a long
period.

5. Clean the equipment thoroughly after use. Refer to manufacturer’s manual.

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SOLTEQ® GASEOUS DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 10)

3.0 SUMMARY OF THEORY

When a concentration gradient exists within a fluid consisting of two or more components, there
is a tendency for each constituent to flow in such a direction as to reduce the concentration
gradient. This is called mass transfer. Mass transfer takes place in either a gas phase or a
liquid phase or in both simultaneously.

When a liquid is allowed to evaporate in a narrow vertical tube and a steady temperature is
maintained, mass transfer takes place from the surface by molecular diffusion alone. This is the
technique developed by Winkelmann to determine the diffusivity of the vapour of a volatile
liquid. By monitoring the evaporation rate, which is the rate of fall of liquid surface, and with the
knowledge of concentration gradient, one may then calculate the diffusivity.

The rate of mass transfer is given by:

 C  C 
N A  D A  T  (1)
 L  C Bm 

where, D = diffusivity [m2/s]

CA = saturation concentration at interface [kmol/m3]
L = effective distance of mass transfer [m]
CT = total molar concentration [kmol/m3]
CBm = logarithmic mean value of CB [kmol/m3]

Considering the evaporation of the liquid:

  dL
N A   L  (2)
M  dt

where, dL = density of liquid [kg/m3]

M = molecular weight [kg/kmol]

Combining equations 1 and 2 we get,

 L  dL C  CT 
   D A   (3)
M  dt  L  C Bm 

Integrating and putting L = L0 at t = 0:

 2MD  C ACT 
L2  L20    t (4)

 L  C Bm 

Values of L0 or L will not be measured accurately but accurate values of (L – L0) are available.

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SOLTEQ® GASEOUS DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 10)

Thus, rearranging equation 4:

 2MD  C ACT 
L  L0 L  L0  2L0     t
  L  C Bm 

t    C   C 
or,   L  Bm L  L0    L Bm L0 (5)
L  L0   2MD  C ACT   MDC ACT 

A plot of t/ L  L0  against L  L0  will give a slope s:

   C 
s   L  Bm  (6)
 2MD  C ACT 

Diffusivity D can then be calculated from equation 6:

 L C Bm
D 
2MC ACT s

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SOLTEQ® GASEOUS DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 10)

4.0 GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURE

4.1 General Start-up Procedure

Prior to running an experiment, students are advised to perform the following start-up
procedure:

1. Fill the water bath with clean (preferably filtered) water to approximately 20 mm
from the top.

2. Plug the main cable to the electrical supply. Be sure that the voltage of the supply
is correct to suit the equipment.

3. Switch on the main power on the control panel.

4. Adjust the set-point value on the temperature controller to 50 °C.

Warning!! Do not set the temperature controller beyond 70 °C.

5. Switch on the heater. Observe the water temperature heats up to 50 °C and

remains constant.

6. The equipment is now ready for student experiment.

4.2 Priming Procedure for Capillary Tube

Before using the capillary tube in an experiment using acetone, students are advised to
clean the inside of the tube.

1. Prepare a weak solution of detergent.

2. Use a Hirschmann pipette to fill the tube with the solution. Tapping the outside of
the tube may be necessary if the solution is trapped and does not flow down.

3. Turn the tube upside-down and shake. Empty the tube.

4. Repeat steps 2 to 3 with acetone.

5. The tube is now ready for student experiment.

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SOLTEQ® GASEOUS DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 10)

4.3 General Shut-down Procedure

After the completion of an experiment, students are advised to shut down the equipment
as follows:

1. Switch off the heater and air pump.

2. Adjust the set-point value of the temperature controller to approximately 5 degree

below the room temperature.

3. Allow the water to cool down until it is safe to touch. Open the drain valve and
empty the water tank.

4. Detach the flexible tubing and clean the capillary tube for next use. (Refer to
priming procedure)

5. Switch off the main power. Unplug the main cable if the equipment will not be used
for a long period.

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SOLTEQ® GASEOUS DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 10)

5.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

OBJECTIVE:
To determine gas diffusion coefficient of acetone using the established Winkelmann’s method.

PROCEDURES:

1. Perform the start-up procedure as outlined in section 4.0.

2. Partially fill the capillary tube with acetone to a depth of about 30 mm.

3. Carefully insert the capillary tube through the fitting on top of the water bath cover. Do
not over-tighten the fitting.

4. Observe the initial level of acetone through the telescope. Increase the tank water level if
the acetone level cannot be observed by using telescope.

5. Connect the flexible tubing from the air pump line to one end of the capillary tube. Switch
on the air pump.

6. After 30 minutes, switch off the air pump. Disconnect the flexible tubing and close the two
capillary tube ends with the cap provided. Observe and record the level of acetone.
Note:
Make sure there is no condensation occurs in the tube before collecting the result.
7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 at 30 minutes intervals.

ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION:

1. Plot t/ L  L0  against L  L0  . Determine gas diffusivity, D from the obtained slope, s.

2. Compare the experimental value with the theoretical value that can be predicted from
empirical equations (e.g. modified Maxwell’s equation by Gilliland).

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SOLTEQ® GASEOUS DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 10)

6.0 REFERENCES

Perry, R.H., Green, D.W. and Maloney, J.O. “Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook (6 th
Edition)”, McGraw-Hill, 1984.

McCabe, W.L., Smith, J.C. and Harriott, P. “Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering (5 th
Edition)”, McGraw-Hill, 1993.

Coulson, J.M. and Richardson, J.F. “Chemical Engineering, Volume 1 (3 rd Edition)”, Pergamon
Press, 1977.

Coulson, J.M. and Richardson, J.F. “Chemical Engineering, Volume 6 (Revised 2 nd Edition)”,
Butterworth-Heinemann, 1996.

Himmelblau, D.M. “Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering (3rd Edition)”,
Prentice-Hall, 1974.

Chopey, N.P. “Handbook of Chemical Engineering Calculations (2nd Edition)”, McGraw-Hill,

1994.

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SOLTEQ® GASEOUS DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 10)

APPENDIX A: SAMPLE TABLE FOR COLLECTION DATA

Time, t Level of acetone, L L - L0, dL t/dL

(ks) (mm) (mm) (ks/mm)