Paper No.

: 04 Unit Operations in Food Processing

Module : 12 Principles of Mass Transfer

Development Team
Principal Investigator Prof. (Mrs.) Vijaya Khader, Ph.D
Former Dean, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University
Dr. Vijaya Khader
Former Dean, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University
Paper Coordinator Er. Dibyakanta Seth
Asst. Professor, Tezpur University, Assam

Dr. Kshirod Kumar Dash

Content Writer Asst. Professsor Dept. of Food Engg & Tech,
Tezpur University, Assam

Prof. (Mrs.) Vijaya Khader, Ph.D

Content Reviewer Former Dean, Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University
Dr. MC Varadaraj , Chief Scientist CSIR-CFTRI, Mysore
Dr. Vijaya Khader
Dr. MC Varadaraj

Unit Operations in Food Processing

Food Technology
Principles of Mass Transfer
 Description of Module

Subject Name Food Technology

Paper Name 04 Unit Operations in Food Processing

Module Name/Title Principles of Mass Transfer

Module Id FT/UOFP/12

Pre-requisites Material balance

Objectives To study the basic principle of mass transfer in food systems and solve the problems
related to mass transfer
Keywords Fick’s law, water vapour transmission rate, permeability, diffucion

Unit Operations in Food Processing

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Principles of Mass Transfer
 12.1 Introduction
Mass transfer basically deals with transport of species within a medium and across an interface, i.e. from
one medium to another. The medium could be stationary or mobile. There are two types of mass transfer.
1. Molecular diffusion or simply diffusive mass transfer
2. Turbulent diffusion or eddy diffusion.
The transport of molecules from a region of high concentration to a lower concentration in a stagnant
medium occurs by mechanism known as molecular diffusion.
The transport of molecules from a region of high concentration to a lower concentration in a turbulent
medium (occurs in moving fluids) occurs by mechanism known as turbulent diffusion or eddy diffusion.
12.2 Physical Origins of Diffusion
The species concentration gradient is the driving potential for transfer. Transfer is due to random
molecular motion. Consider two species A and B at the same T and p, but initially separated by a
partition. Diffusion in the direction of decreasing concentration dictates net transport of A molecules to
the right and B molecules to the left. In time, uniform concentrations of A and B are achieved.

12.3 Mass flux and Molar flux

Mass concentration (𝜌A) :
It is the mass of species A per unit volume of solution (mixture).
It is equal to density of A. For a binary system composed of A and B,
𝜌= 𝜌A + 𝜌B .where 𝜌= Mass density of the solution.
Unit of 𝜌A = K.g/m3

Unit Operations in Food Processing

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Principles of Mass Transfer
 Molar concentration (CA):
It is the number of moles of species A per unit volume of the solution (mixture).
𝜌
CA= (𝑀𝐴 ) where, MA=Molecular weight of component A
𝐴

Unit of CA= K.mole/m3

For a binary mixture of A and B, the total molecular concentration of the mixture,
C = CA+CB.
Mass fraction (XA´) :
The mass fraction of XA′ of a species A may be defined as the ratio of mass concentration of species A
to the mass density of the solution.
𝜌
XA´ = ( 𝐴)
𝜌

Mole fraction (XA) :

The mole fraction XA of a species A can be defined as the ratio of molar concentration of A to the
molar concentration of the solution.
𝐶
XA=( 𝐶𝐴)

For a binary system,

XA´+XB´=1
XA+XB =1
Mass average velocity (u) :
In a diffusion mixture various chemical species are moving at different velocities as they have different
motilities.
For a mixture of n species/components, the local mass average velocities “u” is defined as
∑𝑛
𝑖 (𝜌𝑖 ×𝑢𝑖 ) 1
u= ∑𝑛
=𝜌 × ∑𝑛𝑖(𝜌𝑖 × 𝑢𝑖 )
𝑖 𝜌𝑖

Where, ui= Linear velocity if the ithspecies.

In a binary system of A and B components,
𝜌𝐴 𝑢𝐴 +𝜌𝐵 𝑢𝐵
u= 𝜌

Molar average velocity (U):

Unit Operations in Food Processing

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Principles of Mass Transfer
 Molar average velocity of a mixture U, is defined as
∑𝑛
𝑖 (𝐶𝑖 ×𝑢𝑖 ) 1
U= ∑𝑛
= 𝐶 × ∑𝑛𝑖(𝐶𝑖 × 𝑢𝑖 )
𝑖 𝐶𝑖

In a binary system
(𝐶𝐴 ×𝑢𝐴 )+(𝐶𝐵 ×𝑢𝐵 ) 1 1
U= = 𝐶 (CAuA+CBuB)==𝐶 (NA+NB)
𝐶

If the concentration of a solute in a solution is small, the contribution of the motion of the solute
molecules to the average velocity also remains small.
Mass average velocity, u=∑(𝑤𝑖 × 𝑢𝑖 )
𝜌𝑖
Where, Wi= mass fraction= 𝜌

Molar average velocity, U=∑(𝑋𝑖 × 𝑢𝑖 )

𝐶𝑖
Where, Xi= molar fraction = 𝐶

Let, two car move unidirectional, two persons A and B setting in the vehicles,
𝑚 𝑚
Assume VA = 10 𝑠 and VB = 4 𝑠

Person A notices B to be moving towards him with a speed of

𝑚 𝑚 𝑚
(10-4) 𝑠 = 6 . VAB =6 , similarly VBA = 6
𝑠 𝑠

VAB = VBA
Mass flux relative to
1) stationary observer, ni=𝜌𝑖 × 𝑢𝑖
2) observer moving with a mass average velocity “u”, ii = 𝜌𝑖 (ui-u)
3) observer moving with molar average velocity “U”, ji=𝜌𝑖 (ui-U)
Molar flux relative to
1) stationary observer , Ni = Ciui
2) observer moving with a mass average velocity “u”,Ii=Ci(ui-u)
3) observer moving with a molar average velocity “U”,Ji=Ci(ui-U)

Unit Operations in Food Processing

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Principles of Mass Transfer
 12.4 Fick’s Law
Steady state molecular diffusion of species A (e.g. sucrose) in a diffusion medium B (e.g. water) can be
expressed by Fick's first law.
The molar flux of a species relative to an observer moving with a molar average velocity is
proportional to the concentration gradient of the species.
𝑑𝐶𝐴
JA ∝ 𝑑𝑍
𝑑𝐶
JA = - DAB( 𝑑𝑍𝐴 )

Where, JA = Diffusion flux or molar flux. Unit (mole/m2s)

DAB= Diffusivity of A in a mixture of A & B. unit (m2/s)
𝑑𝐶
Since diffusion occurs spontaneously in the direction of decreasing concentration ( 𝑑𝑍𝐴 < 0), the

negative sign is incorporated to make it consistent with respect to sign.

Molecular diffusion type of mass transfer involves the following three cases.
I. Molecular diffusion in gases
II. Molecular diffusion in liquids
III. Molecular diffusion in solids

12.5 Molecular diffusion in gases

Equimolar counter diffusion in Gases
Basic equation:
𝑑𝐶
JA = -DAB 𝑑𝑍𝐴
𝐶𝐴1 −𝐶𝐴2 )
= DAB( where, CA=CXA
𝑍2 −𝑍1 )
𝑑𝑋
= - CDAB 𝑑𝑍𝐴
𝑋𝐴1 −𝑋𝐴2 𝑛 𝑃
= - CDAB( ) again, C=𝑉 =𝑅𝑇
𝑍2 −𝑍1

𝐴1 𝑃 −𝑃𝐴2
= - DAB𝑅𝑇(𝑍
2 −𝑍1 )

Unit Operations in Food Processing

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Principles of Mass Transfer
 Molar flux in a stationary frame
Molar flux in a stationary frame is represented as NA
1
Molar average velocity, U= 𝐶(NA+NB)

NA=CAuA, NB=CBuB
𝑑𝐶
Molar flux, JA= -DAB( 𝑑𝑍𝐴 ) = CA(uA-U)
𝑑𝐶
= -DAB( 𝑑𝑍𝐴 =CAuA- CAU
𝐶
=NA - 𝐶𝐴(CAuA+CBuB)
𝐶𝐴
=NA - (NA+NB)
𝐶
𝐶 𝑑𝐶
NA= (NA+NB) 𝐶𝐴 - DAB 𝑑𝑍𝐴
𝐶
(NA+NB) 𝐶𝐴= Bulk flow (movement together due to pressure gradient)
𝑑𝐶
DAB 𝑑𝑍𝐴 = molecular diffusion (movement due to concentration gradient)

Diffusion of A through non diffusing B

Let, A diffusion through stagnant non diffusing B, then NB=0
𝑑𝑋𝐴 𝐶𝐴
NA= -CDAB 𝑑𝑍 + (NA+0)
𝐶
𝑃 𝐶𝐴 𝑃𝐴
C=𝑅𝑇 , PA = XAP, =𝑃
𝐶

Where, P ,PA,PB are total pressure, partial pressure of A and B respectively.

𝐴 𝑑𝑃 1
NA = -DAB(𝑅𝑇𝑑𝑍 )+PANA× (𝑃)
𝑃 𝑑𝑃
NA (1- 𝑃𝐴) = -DAB𝑅𝑇𝑑𝑍
𝐴

𝑍 1 𝑃 𝑑𝑃𝐴
NA∫𝑍 2 𝑑𝑍= -DAB𝑅𝑇 ∫𝑃 𝐴2 𝑃
1 𝐴1 1−( 𝐴 )
𝑃

𝑃 𝑃−𝑃
NA = DAB𝑅𝑇(𝑍 ln(𝑃−𝑃𝐴2 )
2 −𝑍1 ) 𝐴1

P = PA2+PA1

Unit Operations in Food Processing

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Principles of Mass Transfer
 𝑃𝐵2 −𝑃𝐵1 𝑃𝐴1 −𝑃𝐴2
PBM= 𝑃 = 𝑃−𝑃𝐴2
ln⁡( 𝐵2 ) ln⁡( )
𝑃𝐵1 𝑃−𝑃𝐴1

𝑃
NA = DAB𝑅𝑇(𝑍 (PA1-PA2)
2 −𝑍1 )𝑃𝐵𝑀

Experimental process to determine diffusivity

Let us consider diffusion of water vapour is occurring in a narrow tube. At a given time “t” the level is
“Z” m from the top. As diffusion proceeds, if the level drops slowly, drive the equation for the time
“tF” for the level to drop from a starting point of “Z0” m at t=0 to ZF at t = tF.
Solution :
𝐷𝐴𝐵 𝑃(𝑃𝐴1 −𝑃𝐴2 )
NA = 𝑃𝐵𝑀 𝑅𝑇𝑍
…………………………..(1)

Assume the cross section area is 1 m2.

If the level drops “dZ” m in “dt” second, then the mass of A that has been diffused = M = 𝜌 ×V =
𝜌𝐴
(𝑑𝑍. 1)
𝑀𝐴
𝜌𝐴 (𝑑𝑍.1)
Then Kg mole of A that have diffused = 𝑀𝐴

Where, 𝑀𝐴 = Kg mole of A, 𝜌𝐴 = 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦⁡𝑜𝑓⁡𝐴

𝜌𝐴 (𝑑𝑍.1)
Now, NA.1 = ……………………………….(2)
𝑀𝐴 .𝑑𝑡

From the above equation (1)&(2), we get

𝜌𝐴 .𝑑𝑍 𝑃(𝑃𝐴1 −𝑃𝐴2 )
= DAB
𝑀𝐴 .𝑑𝑡 𝑅𝑇𝑍×𝑃𝐵𝑀
𝜌 𝑍 𝑃(𝑃𝐴1 −𝑃𝐴2 ) 𝑡
= 𝑀𝐴 ∫𝑍 𝐹 𝑍𝑑𝑧 = DAB 𝐹
∫0 𝑑𝑡
𝐴 0 𝑅𝑇(𝑃𝐵𝑀 )
𝜌𝐴 .𝑅𝑇
= tF = 2(𝑀 ×PBM(ZF2 –Z02)
𝐴 )(𝐷𝐴𝐵 )𝑃(𝑃𝐴1 −𝑃𝐴2 )

Diffusion through a varying cross-section area

Let consider steady state the cross section area A m2 through which the diffusion occurs is varying
with distance “Z”
𝑛
Now , NA = ( 𝐴𝐴)

Unit Operations in Food Processing

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Principles of Mass Transfer
 nA =Kg moles of A diffusing per second (Kg.mole/s)
under the above condition nA will remain constant but A will be vary.
Example :Evaporation of a drop of liquid ; evaporation of a ball of naphthalene;
NA = (nA/A)
𝑛
= (4𝜋𝑟𝐴2 )
𝑑𝐶 𝐶𝐴
NA = -DAB 𝑑𝑍𝐴 + NA
𝐶
𝐴 𝑑𝑃 𝑃𝐴
= -DAB𝑅𝑇𝑑𝑍 + NA
𝑃
𝑃𝐴 𝑑𝑃𝐴
NA(1- ) = -DAB where, dZ= dr
𝑃 𝑅𝑇𝑑𝑍
𝑛 𝑑𝑃𝐴
NA =(4𝜋𝑟𝐴2 )= -DAB 𝑃𝐴
𝑑𝑟(1− )
𝑃

𝑛 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 1 𝑃 𝑑𝑃𝐴
(4𝜋𝐴 ) ∫𝑟 2 𝑟 2 = -DAB𝑅𝑇 ∫𝑃 𝐴2 𝑃
1 𝐴1 (1− 𝐴 )
𝑃

𝑛 1 1 𝑃 𝑃−𝑃
(4𝜋𝐴)(𝑟 − 𝑟2)= DAB𝑅𝑇 ln⁡(𝑃−𝑃𝐴2 )
1 𝐴1

1
If, r2>>r1, ≅ 0.
𝑟2
𝑛 𝑃 𝑃−𝑃
(4𝜋𝑟𝐴 2 )= DAB𝑅𝑇 ln⁡(𝑃−𝑃𝐴2 )
𝐴1

𝑛 𝑃 𝑃−𝑃
(4𝜋𝑟𝐴2 )= NA1= DAB𝑅𝑇(𝑟 ) ln⁡(𝑃−𝑃𝐴2 )
1 𝐴1

𝑃 (𝑃𝐴1 −𝑃𝐴2 )
= DAB𝑅𝑇(𝑟
1) (𝑃𝐵𝑀 )

If PA1 is small compare to P , then PBM⁡≅ 𝑃

D1 = 2r1
𝑃𝐴1
& CA1 = 𝑅𝑇
2(𝐶𝐴1 −𝐶𝐴2)
& NA1= DAB 𝐷1

Prediction of diffusivity for gases

The diffusivity of a binary gas mixture in the dilute gas region can be predicted using the kinetic theory
of gases.
Assumption:
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 1) The gas is assumed to consist rigid spherical particles that are completely elastic on collision with
another molecule, which implies that momentum is conserved
2) There is no attraction and repulsion forces between the gas molecules.
̅
𝜆𝑢
DAB = ……………………………………………..(1)
3

𝑢̅ = Average velocity of molecules.

𝜆 = 𝑀𝑒𝑎𝑛⁡𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑒⁡𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ,
= Average distance that a molecule has travelled between collisions.
Consider, the intermolecular forces of attraction and repulsion between the molecules and
different sizes of molecules A and B. the following relation was established to predict to
diffusivity of a binary gas pair of A and B molecules
3
1.8583×10−7 𝑇 2 1 1
DAB = 2 𝛺𝐷 × (𝑀 + 𝑀 ) ……………………(2)
𝑃𝜎𝐴𝐵 𝐴𝐵 𝐴 𝐵

Where,
𝑚2
DAB= Diffusivity in 𝑠

T = Temperature in K
MA=Molecular weight of A in Kg mass/Kg mole.
MB = Molecular weight of A in Kg mass/Kg mole.
P = Absolute pressure in atm.
𝜎𝐴𝐵 = Average collision parameter.
𝛺𝐷,𝐴𝐵 =Collision integral based in the Lennard-jones potential.
The collision integral based in 𝛺𝐷,𝐴𝐵 is a ratio giving the deviation of a gas with interactions
compared to a gas of elastic spheres.
𝛺𝐷,𝐴𝐵 = 1.0 for a gas with no interaction.
Equation (2) is relative complicated to used and often some the constants such as 𝜎𝐴𝐵 are not available
or difficult to estimate.
Fuller established a semi empirical method which is much more convenient to used and is often
utilized

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 1
1 1
1.00×10−7 𝑇 1.75 ( + )2
𝑀𝐴 𝑀 𝐵
DAB = 1 1 ……………………...(3)
𝑃[(∑ 𝑉𝐴 )3 +(∑ 𝑉𝐵 )3 ]2

∑ 𝑉𝐴 ,∑ 𝑉𝐵 = Sum of structural volume increments.

𝑚2
DAB = Diffusivity in 𝑠

Equation (3) can be used for mixture of nonpolar gases or for a polar-nonpolar mixture.
For equation (3)
1
DAB∝ 𝑃

DAB∝ 𝑇 1.75
𝑇 1.75
⁡⁡∴⁡DAB∝ 𝑃

12.6 Molecular diffusion in liquids

Molecular diffusion in the context of bio-separations mainly involves the transport of dissolved species
in a liquid medium. An example of this is the transport of an antibiotic from an aqueous solution to the
surface of an ion-exchange resin. Molecular diffusion in liquid medium is significantly slower than that
in a gaseous medium and hence the diffusion coefficients are significantly lower. In diffusion in liquids
an important difference from diffusion in gases is that the diffusivity are quite dependent on the
concentration of diffusion components.
Application:
1. Separation process
(1.1) Liquid-liquid extraction (1.2) solvent extraction
2. Gas absorption
3. Distillation
(a)Equimolar counter diffusion in liquids
NA = -NB
𝐷𝐴𝐵 (𝐶𝐴2 −𝐶𝐴1 )
NA = - 𝑍2 −𝑍1
𝐷𝐴𝐵 (𝑋𝐴1 −𝑋𝐴2 )𝐶𝑎𝑣𝑔
NB = 𝑍2 −𝑍1

Where,
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 𝐾𝑔⁡𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒⁡𝐴
NA= Flux of A in 𝑚2 ×𝑠
𝑚2
𝐷𝐴𝐵 =Diffusivity of A in B in 𝑠
𝐾𝑔⁡𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒⁡𝐴
⁡⁡⁡𝐶𝐴2 = Concentration of A in at point 1.
𝑚3

⁡⁡⁡𝑋𝐴1= Mole fraction of A at point 1

𝐾𝑔⁡𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒⁡
⁡𝐶𝑎𝑣𝑔 = Average of total concentration pf A+B in 𝑚3
𝜌 𝜌
𝜌 ( 1+ 2)
𝑀1 𝑀2
⁡𝐶𝑎𝑣𝑔 = (𝑀)𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 2
𝐾𝑔⁡𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
𝑀1 = Average molecular weight of the solution at point 1 in 𝐾𝑔⁡𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
𝐾𝑔
𝜌1 = Average density of the solution in 𝑚3

(b) Diffusion of A through nondiffusion B

Example :
Solvent A is diffusing
Solvent B is not diffusing
𝐷𝐴𝐵 𝐶𝑎𝑣𝑔 (𝑋𝐴1 −𝑋𝐴2 )
NA=
𝑋𝐵𝑀 (𝑍2 −𝑍1 )
(𝑋𝐵2 −𝑋𝐵1 )
XBM= 𝑋
ln⁡( 𝐵2 )
𝑋𝐵1

𝑋𝐴1 + 𝑋𝐵1=𝑋𝐴2 + 𝑋𝐵2 = 1

𝐹𝑜𝑟⁡a dilute solution , XBM is close to 1
𝑎𝑛𝑑⁡c is essentially constant.
ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒⁡for a dilute solution equation can be written as
𝐷𝐴𝐵 (𝐶𝐴1 −𝐶𝐴2 )
NA =
𝑍2 −𝑍1

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 Prediction of diffusion in liquid
Semi empirical equation for predicting diffusion of dilute solutes in liquids.
The Wilke-chang correlation can be used for most general purpose where solute A is dilute in the
solvent B.
1
𝑇
DAB =1.173× 10−16 (∅𝑀𝐵 )2 × 𝜇 0.6
𝐵 (𝑉𝐴 )

Where,
𝑀𝐵 = Molecular weight of solvent B
𝐾𝑔
𝜇𝐵 = Viscosity of B in (Pa.s) or 𝑚.𝑠

𝑉𝐴 = Solute molar volume at normal boiling point.

∅ = Association parameter of the solvent
∅= 2.6 for water 1.0 benzene.
= 1.9 for methanol 1.0 ether.
= 1.5 for ethanol 1.0 heptane.
If water is the solvent then,
1
1.173×10−16 ×(∅𝑀𝐵 )2 ×𝑇
DAB= ……………………(5)
2.3𝜇𝐵 (𝑉𝐴 )0.6

The above equation (4)&(5) are valid in the temperature range 278-313 K

12.7 Molecular diffusion in solids

Solute molecules can diffuse through a dense solid medium after dissolving in it. An example of this is
the diffusion of solutes through dense membranes.
Rate of diffusion in solid < liquid < gas.
Example : Leaching of sugar from sugar beets with hot water; Extraction of oil from oil seeds are
mixed with organic solvent such as hexane, to extract oil.
In order to separate the desired solute constituent or remove undesirable solute components from the
solid phase ,the solid is contacted with a liquid phase. The two phase are in contact and the solute can

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 diffuse from the solid to liquid phase, which causes a separation of the components in the solid .this
process are calls liquid-solid leaching or simply leaching.
For binary diffusion
𝑑𝑋 𝐶𝐴
NA= -CDAB 𝑑𝑍𝐴+ (NA+NB)
𝐶
𝐶𝐴
For diffusion in solids is quite small,
𝐶
𝐶
Hence, 𝐶𝐴 ×(NA+NB) negligible.

And C is assumed constant.

𝑑𝑋𝐴
NA= - CDAB
𝑑𝑍

Under steady state diffusion for a solid slab

(𝐶𝐴1 −𝐶𝐴2)
NA= - CDAB 𝑑𝑍

For the case of diffusion radially through a cylinder wall of inner radius ‘r1’ & outer diameter ‘r2’ and
length L.
̅̅̅̅
𝑁𝐴 𝑑𝐶
= - DAB 𝑑𝑟𝐴
2𝜋𝑟𝐿
𝐷 (𝐶 −𝐶 )⁡2πL
̅̅̅
𝑁𝐴̅ = 𝐴𝐵 𝐴1 𝑟2𝐴2
ln⁡( )
𝑟1

Diffusion coefficient DAB in the solids is not depends on the pressure of the gas or liquid on the outside
of the solid.
𝐸𝑥𝑚𝑎𝑝𝑙𝑒 :
If co2 gas is outside a slab of rubber and is diffusion through the rubber, DAB would be independent of
PA , the partial pressure of CO2 at the surface.
But, the solubility of CO2 in the solids is directly proportional to PA . This solubility in solid is similar
to Henry’s law.
Henry’s law: solubility of CO2 in water is directly proportional to the partial pressure of O2 in the air.

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 12.8 Permeability
On the basis of permeability characteristics the MAP(modified atmosphere packaging) is selected
𝑆×𝑃
𝐴
CA=22.414

Where,
𝐾𝑔⁡𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑒
S= solubility of solute gas (A) in a solid at STP(at 00C & 1 atm)( )
𝑚3

PA= partial pressure of solute gas (A) in atm.

Again,
PM= DAB× 𝑆
Where,
PM=permeability (𝑚3 ⁡𝑜𝑓⁡𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒⁡𝑔𝑎𝑠⁡𝐴⁡𝑎𝑡⁡𝑆TP)
(𝐶𝐴1 −𝐶𝐴2 )
NA = DAB (𝑍2 −𝑍1 )

𝑆×𝑃𝐴1
CA1 = 22.414
𝑆×𝑃
𝐴2
CA2 = 22.414
𝐷𝐴𝐵 𝑆(𝑃𝐴1 −𝑃𝐴2 )
NA = 22.414(𝑍2 −𝑍1 )

𝑃 (𝑃
𝑀 𝐴1 −𝑃𝐴2 )
NA = 22.414(𝑍
2 −𝑍1 )

If there are several layer 1, 2, 3,………..are series of having thickness are L1, L2, L3,……….. are
respectively.
Then the permeability equation is
1 𝐿 𝐿 𝐿 𝐿
= 𝑃 1 + 𝑃 2 + 𝑃 3 +𝑃 4 + ⋯ … … … ….
𝑃𝑀 𝑀1 𝑀2 𝑀3 𝑀4

12.9 Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR)

Water vapour transmission rate is defined as the amount of water vapour transmitted through the
2 𝑔𝑚⁡𝐻 𝑂
package for ((𝑑𝑎𝑦)(𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑘𝑎𝑔𝑒)) on the specific temperature and relative humidity.

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Principles of Mass Transfer
 𝑛
𝑊𝑉𝑇𝑅 =
𝑡𝐴
Where, n= Amount of water lost.
t= Time
A= Film area.
𝑊𝑉𝑇𝑅
Water vapour permeance =⁡𝑃
𝐴1 −𝑃𝐴2

PA1-PA2= partial vapour pressure gradient across the thin film.

Permeability= permeance × thickness of the film.
𝑊𝑉𝑇𝑅×𝑑
=𝑃
𝐴1 −𝑃𝐴2

Water vapour permeability is define as the steady amount of water vapour flow in the unit time
through unit area of film of unit thickness given by water vapour pressure difference across fix
parallel surface on the specific temperature and relative humidity condition.
If WVTR assumed constant the shelf life (ts) can be estimated by
𝐻2 𝑂⁡𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚
ts = , where, H20 maximum= maximum allowable water.
𝑊𝑉𝑇𝑅

References
1. Food Process Engineering and technology, Zeki Berk, Elsevier Inc. New York., Publ., 2009
2. Transport Processes and Unit Operations, Christie J Geankoplis, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1983.

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Principles of Mass Transfer