Khulna University of Engineering & Technology

Department of Chemical Engineering

Year- 3rd; Semester-2nd
Sessional Report on Ch.E 3212

Experiment no: 02
Experiment title: Study of Liquid Diffusion

Evaluation & Remarks

Submitted by Submitted to
Nusrat Jahan Mim Md. Khairul Bahar
Roll-1929023 Lecturer,
Dept. Of Ch.E
KUET

Date of performance : 02.10.2023 Date of Submission: 07.11.2023

Abstract:
The objective of liquid diffusion experiment was to determine the diffusivity of sodium chloride
solution in distilled water. This experiment was also conducted to determine the conductivity of
the solution when sodium chloride solution (NaCl) was diffused into the distilled water. The rate
of diffusion was calculated by plotting the conductivity versus time graph. After diffusing the NaCl
solution into distilled water, the conductivity value was measured using a liquid diffusion
coefficient apparatus. The vessel was filled with approximately 1.1L distilled water. Two
concentrations of NaCl were used for this experiment which was 1 M and 4 M. After adding the
NaCl solution, the capillary tube was submerged just below the water's surface in distilled water.
The result of this experiment demonstrated that time increased the conductivity at 4 M NaCl
solution. Time also increased the result for 1 M NaCl solution. In comparison to the slope gradient
for the 1 M NaCl solution, the 4 M NaCl solution had a higher gradient. Thus the diffusivity value
was higher for 4 M NaCl solution which was 88.041×10-6 cm2/sec while for 1M has value
70.433×10-6 cm2/sec. The concepts that the longer the time, the higher the conductivity, was
accepted was supported by the increasing conductivity over time. With a higher solution
concentration, the diffusivity of the solution naturally increased.

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1.0 Introduction:
The two main processes in the realm of chemical engineering are heat transfer and mass transfer.
While mass transfer often becomes the source of issues in this industry. The tendency of a
component in a mixture to move from an area of high concentration to one of low concentration is
referred to as mass transfer. By definition, one of the mass transfer processes that occurs when a
component diffuses from a high concentration to a low concentration is liquid diffusion. The
diffusion process is typically used in the distillation process, gas absorption, liquid-liquid
extraction, and other processes. the equi-molar counter-diffusion and component diffusion through
a stationary, non-diffusing component are the two types of diffusion. Equi-molar counter-diffusion
is used in this experiment, where two different concentrations of the NaCl solution are applied.It
is diluted into distilled water at two distinct strengths.

This experiment is repeated twice using two distinct NaCl solution concentrations. The diffusion
column will be filled with the NaCl solution and submerged just below the surface of the distilled
water. To find the conductivity value, there is a conductivity metre and a magnetic stirrer available.
Although it is not determined directly from this experiment, the diffusivity value will be assessed
using the conductivity value as a basis. The diffusion of NaCl in distilled water will be determined
using a conductivity value versus time graph.

1.1 Theory
Diffusion processes can be divided into two categories, as previously mentioned in the
introduction: diffusion of a component via a stagnant, non-diffusing component and equi-molar
counter-diffusion. For each case, different formulas are applied to find the diffusivity value. The
form-nila utilised in this experiment for equi-molar counter-diffusion is

∂C
J=−D ∂x

where J is the diffusion rate, D is the value of diffusivity and dC/dx is the concentration gradient.
The negative sign in the formula indicates that the flow is from high concentration to low
concentration. Throughout the experiment, it is assumed that the concentration is zero at the top
and constant at the lower ends. consequently

vdk πd2 M
= −D N
c dt 4 x
2
 4vx dk
D=
πd2 NMC dt

in which V is the volume of distilled water in diffusion vessel, M is molar concentration of the
solution, C is conductivity change per unit molar concentration change and x, d and N is the length
of capillaries, the diameter of capillaries and the number of capillaries respectively.

The value of conductivity change per unit molar concentration, C, is 4.1 x 10⁵ μS.L/mol. Then the
slope gained from the graph can be used to evaluate the diffusivity value.

1.2 Experimental procedure:

The process of starting up was carried out. The instructor had provided the kind of NaCI
concentration to be used in the experiment. The solution made previously was put inside the
diffusion cell. It was mured that the capillary tubes were in the position. After the cell was fully
filled, any solution that remained was wiped away to ensure sure the capillary tube did not contain
an air trap. The top of the capillaries was precisely below the water's surface when the cell was
carefully submerged in the distilled water. Both the magnetic stirrer and the conductivity metre
were turned on. I set off the stop watch. After 10 minutes, the conductivity reading was taken. Up
to forty minutes, a reading had been taken every five minutes. This processes were repeated with
varying NaCl solution molarities.

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1.3 Experimental setup:

Figure-1: Experimental set for liquid diffusion.

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2.0 Experimental data:
Table-1: Observed data for determining diffusivity of NaCl solution.

1M NaCl solution 4M NaCl solution

Obs. No Time (sec)
Conductivity, k (S) Conductivity, k (S)
×10-6 ×10-6
01 0 11.50 1.50

02 600 81.77 77.08

03 900 94.55 141.10

04 1200 106.90 249.20

05 1500 116.60 347.20

06 1800 124.60 408.10

07 2100 131.90 456.60

08 2400 138.50 497.80

09 2700 144.20 532.10

10 3000 149.90 563.00

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3.0 Result & Discussion:
The results of experimental data are shown in Diagram-1 & Diagram-2 by plotting conductivity
against time for 1M NaCl solution & 4M NaCl solution.

y = 4E-08x + 5E-05
0.00018
0.00016
0.00014
Conductivity,K (S)

0.00012
0.0001
0.00008
0.00006
0.00004
0.00002
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
Time, t (Sec)

Diagram-1: Graph of Conductivity, k (S) against Time, t (sec) for 1M NaCl solution.

y = 2E-07x - 4E-06
0.0007

0.0006

0.0005
Conductivity,K (S)

0.0004

0.0003

0.0002

0.0001

0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500
-0.0001
Time, t (sec)

Diagram-2: Graph of Conductivity, k (S) against Time, t (sec) for 4M NaCl solution.

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Following the experimental procedure, the value of diffusion coefficient for 1M NaCl solution that
is D1M NaCl = 70.433×10-6 cm2/sec & for 4M NaCl solution that is D4M NaCl = 88.041×10-6 cm2/sec.

Spontaneous movement of particles from high concentration area to an area of low concentration
until reaches its equilibrium is known as diffusion, which as shown Diagram-1 & Diagram-2.

As time passed, the movement of particles shifts from a high concentration gradient to a low
concentration gradient. in this experiment, diffusion occurred between the particles of distilled
water and sodium chloride (NaCl) as well. First, the conductivity as a function of time graph for 1
M and 4 M NaCl solutions showed an increasing trend.

The equation for 1 M of NaCl solution was y = 4E-08x + 5E-05 & for 4 M of NaCl was y = 2E-
07x - 4E-06.

From the result of the experiment, 1 M of NaCl solution has higher diffusivity values which was
70.433×10-6 cm2/sec compared to 4 M of NaCl solution which was 88.041×10-6 cm2/sec.
However, it is claimed by the Fick's Law theory that diffusivity increases with solution
concentration. This is due to the fact that as the number of molecules increases, so does the number
of collisions. The gradient of concentration increases with the increases the number of collision.
The driving force also increases as the concentration gradient does. As a result, the value of
diffusivity will increase. That is the reason why diffusivity increases with increasing NaCl
concentration.

When the concentration of NaCl solution increases, the values of conductivity will increase, thus
increasing the values of diffusivity of NaCl solution. It is reliant on the ions being present in the
mixture. Ionic compounds that dissolve in water, like NaCl, are the source of ions. That is why
when the concentration increases, the number of molecules will increase. Typically, 1M NaCl
solution has higher the value diffusivity that is 14.84 x 10-6 cm2sec-1.

Errors may occur throughout the experiment. First, there were tiny bubbles stuck in the
conductivity probe. These bubbles may result in inaccurate conductivity value calculations. The
values of conductivity won't be accurate if the bubbles aren't taken out before the experiment
begins. Second, there is an uneven or insufficient mixing of the distilled water and NaCl. This is
because the stirrer bar was not spinning quickly enough to thoroughly mix the distilled water and
NaCl.

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4.0 Conclusion:
Based on this experiment, the results showed that theconductivity for both concentrations of 1 M
& 4 M NaCl solution increased by time. The value of conductivity for 4 M NaCl was started with
1.50 μS then ended with 563.0 μS at 50 min. while the conductivity for 1 M NaCl was started with
11.5 μS and ended with value 149,9 μS. Thus, the hypothesis that conductivity increases with
duration was accepted. Besides, the diffusivity for 4 M NaCl solution was higher which has a value
of 88.041×10-6 cm2/sec while for 1 M NaCl solution has a value of 70.433×10-6 cm2/sec. Thus, it
could be said that the solution's diffusivity increases with the salt solution's concentration.

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5.0 Recommended:
[1] Use a calcium chloride (CaCl) solution in place of the NaCl solution. The reason for this is that
each molecule of calcium chloride generates three ions in solution as opposed to two in the case
of sodium chloride (NaCl). Therefore, it might quicken the diffusion rate.

[2] To determine the average conductivity reading for each concentration of sodium chloride
solution, repeat the experiment three times.

3. After the distilled water is filled, provide the reading level of water in the diffusion vessel to
obtain an accurate reading. It facilitates accelerating the liquid diffusion coefficient apparatus setup
time.

4. Verify that there are no bubbles at the conductivity probe. It's because the conductivity reading
may be impacted by the bubbles.

5. Verify that after filling the diffusion cell with NaCl, the capillaries are not floating. This way to
make sure air hasn't gotten trapped in it.

6. Proceed with the experiment in a windy location. It's because a windy environment can hasten
the diffusion process.

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References

[1] Bennett, C. O. & Myers, J. E. (1982), Chemical Engineering Series (3rd ed.). New York:
McGraw-Hill

[2] diffen (2012). Retrieved July 6, 2013, from

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Diffusion_vs_Osmosis

[3] eHow (2013). Retrieved July 6, 2013, from http://www.ehow.com/facts_5942108_effect-

solution-concentrationconductivity.htm

[4] Calcium Chloride (2008). Retrieved July 6, 2013, from http://hyperphysics.phy-

astr.gsu.edu/hbase/chemical/saltcom.htm

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