University of Baghdad

College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

‫معامل انتقال المادة‬

Because of the very small thickness of resistance film layer
(Z), there is no possibility to calculate its value, therefore the
concept of mass transfer coefficient (M.T.C) appeared which
is the opposite of resistance, and its presence means there is a
resistance to mass transfer.
M.T.C is a diffusion rate constant that relates the mass
transfer rate, mass transfer area and concentration change as
𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝟑 𝒎
driving force, its units ( , 𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 , , )
𝒎𝟐 .𝒔.𝒌𝒑𝒂 𝒎𝟐 .𝒔. 𝒎𝟐 .𝒔 𝒔
𝒎𝟑

We will begin from Molar diffusion & two film theory (shape 1)

Inter phase

gas Liq.
film film

PA
CA*
PAi liquid bulk
gas bulk CAi

CA
PA*

Zg ZL
Z
Shape 1 two film theory

1
Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

𝒅𝒄𝑨
𝑵𝑨 = 𝑱𝑨 = −𝑫𝑨𝑩
𝒅𝒛
−𝑫𝑨𝑩 𝒅𝑷𝑨
𝑵𝑨 = 𝑱𝑨 =
𝑹𝑻 𝒅𝒛

𝑫𝑨𝑩
𝑵𝑨𝒈 = (𝑷𝑨 − 𝑷𝑨𝒊 ) (1)
𝑹𝑻𝒁

𝑫𝑨𝑩
𝑵𝑨𝑳 = (𝑪𝑨𝒊 − 𝑪𝑨 ) (2)
𝒁

𝑵𝑨𝒈 = 𝑵𝑨𝑳 = 𝑵𝑨 (*)

M.T.C. can be estimated from many different theoretical

equations, correlations and analogies functions of material
properties and flow region (laminar or turbulent).
Since the film thickness Z is difficult to estimate, the above
equations were written as:

𝑵𝑨𝒈 = 𝒌𝒈 (𝑷𝑨 − 𝑷𝑨𝒊 ) (3)

𝑵𝑨𝑳 = 𝒌𝑳 (𝑪𝑨𝒊 − 𝑪𝑨 ) (4)

Where:
𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆
𝐤𝐠: 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐌. 𝐓. 𝐂 𝐢𝐧 𝐠𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐦 ( )
𝒎𝟐 . 𝒔. 𝑲𝒑𝒂

𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝟑 𝒎
𝐤 𝐋 : 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐌. 𝐓. 𝐂 𝐢𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐦 ( 𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒓 )
𝒎𝒔 .𝒔. 𝟑 𝒎𝟐 .𝒔 𝒔
𝒎

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Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

But 𝑷𝑨𝒊 and 𝑪𝑨𝒊 are difficult to measure, therefore we define

the overall M.T.C:
𝑵𝑨 = 𝑲𝑶𝑮 (𝑷𝑨 − 𝑪𝑨 ) and 𝑵𝑨 = 𝑲𝑶𝑳 (𝑷𝑨 − 𝑪𝑨 )

𝑵𝑨 = 𝑲𝑶𝑮 (𝑷𝑨 − 𝑷∗𝑨 ) (5)

𝑵𝑨 = 𝑲𝑶𝑳 (𝑪∗𝑨 − 𝑪𝑨 ) (6)

Where:
𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆
𝐊 𝐎𝐆 : 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌. 𝐓. 𝐂 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐚𝐬 ( )
𝒎𝟐 . 𝒔. 𝒌𝒑𝒂

𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝟑 𝒎
𝐊 𝐎𝐋 : 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌. 𝐓. 𝐂 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐝 ( 𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒓 𝒐𝒓 )
𝒎𝒔 .𝒔 𝒎𝟐 .𝒔 𝒔
𝒎𝟑

Important Notes ***

1. Henry's law connects the relationship between CA and PA

at interface region

𝑷𝑨∗ = 𝑯𝑪𝑨 (7)

𝑷𝑨 = 𝑯𝑪𝑨∗

At interface 𝑷𝑨𝒊 = 𝑯𝑪𝑨𝒊 (equilibrium) (8)

Where:
𝒌𝒑𝒂
H= Henry constant ( 𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 )
𝒎𝟑

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Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

2. The previous relationships (relates M T C ) can be

represented by another forms such as:

For gases; equation no. 3 can be written by

𝑵𝑨𝒈 = 𝒌𝒈 (𝑷𝑨 − 𝑷𝑨𝒊 )

𝑵𝑨𝒈 = 𝒌𝒈 (𝒀𝑨 𝑷𝑻 − 𝒀𝑨𝒊 𝑷𝑻 )

𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆
𝒎𝟐 . 𝒔. 𝒌𝒑𝒂

𝑵𝑨𝒈 = 𝒌𝒈 𝑷𝑻 (𝒀𝑨 − 𝒀𝑨𝒊 ) (9)

For liquids; equation no. 4 can be written by

𝑵𝑨𝑳 = 𝒌𝑳 (𝑪𝑨𝒊 − 𝑪𝑨 )

𝑵𝑨𝑳 = 𝒌𝑳 (𝑿𝑨𝒊 𝑪𝑻 − 𝑿𝑨 𝑪𝑻 )

𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝟑 𝒎
𝒐𝒓 𝟐 𝒐𝒓
𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒎 . 𝒔 𝒔
𝒎𝒔 . 𝒔
𝒎𝟑

𝑵𝑨𝑳= 𝒌𝑳 𝑪𝑻 (𝑿𝑨𝒊 − 𝑿𝑨 ) (10)

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Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

3. Equilibrium relationship (eq no. 7) can be transformed

from shape to another one as follow:

𝑷𝑨∗ = 𝑯. 𝑪𝑨 Henry's law

But CA = XA . CT

𝑷∗𝑨 𝑯.𝑿𝑨 .𝑪𝑻

= (divided by PT )
𝑷𝑻 𝑷𝑻

𝒀𝑨∗ = 𝑴𝑿𝑨 (11)

Where:

𝑯𝑪𝑻
M= dimensionless (equilibrium constant)
𝑷𝑻

YA = mole fraction of A in gas

XA = mole fraction of A in liquid

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Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

𝟏 𝟏 𝑯
= + (12)
𝑲𝑶𝑮 𝒌𝒈 𝒌𝑳

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= + (13)
𝑲𝑶𝑳 𝒌𝑳 𝑯𝒌𝒈

Notes:

1. If the resistance in two films (gas and liquid), the hole

relationships (equations 5, 6, 12 & 13) should be applied.
2. In case of gas film control, that means the resistance in
the gas film only, the above equation will be:

𝟏 𝟏
= KOG = kg
𝑲𝑶𝑮 𝒌𝒈

3. In case of liquid film control, that means the resistance

in the liquid film only, the above equation will be:
𝟏 𝟏
= KOL = kL
𝑲𝑶𝑳 𝒌𝑳

4. If the resistance represented by given percentage (for

example 75% from the overall resistance is in the gas
film), equation no. 12 will be written by:
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝑯
0.7𝟓
𝑲𝑶𝑮
= 𝒌𝒈
or 0.25 =
𝑲𝑶𝑮 𝒌𝑳

6
Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

Example 4:
For a system in which component A is transferring, the equilibrium
relation is given by YA* = 0.75 XA. At one point in the apparatus the
liquid contain 90% mole and the gas contain 45% mole A. The
individual gas film mass transfer coefficient at this point has a value
of 0.0271 kmol/m2s and 70% of the overall resistance to mass transfer
is known to be encountered in the gas film, evaluate:

1- The molar flux of A.

2- The interfacial concertation of A.
3- The overall M.T.C for the liquid
Solution:

Inter phase

gas Liq.
film film
𝒀𝑨∗
gas bulk XA= 0.9

PAi
CAi
𝑿∗𝑨
YA = 0.45
liquid bulk

Zg ZL
Z

7
Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

𝑵𝑨𝒈 = 𝑵𝑨𝑳 = 𝑵𝑨 (*)

1) 𝑵𝑨 ?
𝑵𝑨 = 𝑲𝑶𝑮 (𝒀∗𝑨 − 𝒀𝑨 )

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
0.7( 𝑲 ) = 𝟎. 𝟕 ( 𝑲 ) =
𝑶𝑮 𝑲𝒈 𝑶𝑮 𝟎.𝟎𝟐𝟕𝟏

𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆
𝑲𝑶𝑮 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟖𝟗𝟕
𝒎𝟐 . 𝒔. 𝒌𝒑𝒂

𝑵𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟖𝟗𝟕 (𝟎. 𝟕𝟓 ∗ 𝟎. 𝟗 − 𝟎. 𝟒𝟓)

𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆
= 𝟒. 𝟐𝟔𝟖 ∗ 𝟏𝟎−𝟑
𝒎𝟐 . 𝒔

2) 𝒀𝑨𝒊 ?
𝑵𝑨𝒈 = 𝑲𝒈 (𝒀𝑨𝒊 − 𝒀𝑨 )

𝟒. 𝟐𝟔𝟖 ∗ 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟕𝟏 (𝐘𝐀𝐢 − 𝟎. 𝟒𝟓)

𝒀𝑨𝒊 = 𝟎. 𝟔

3) 𝑲𝑶𝑳 ?
𝑵𝑨 = 𝑲𝑶𝑳 (𝑿𝑨 − 𝑿∗𝑨 )

𝟎.𝟒𝟓
𝟒. 𝟐𝟔𝟖 ∗ 𝟏𝟎−𝟑 = 𝑲𝑶𝑳 ( 𝟎. 𝟗 − )
𝟎.𝟕𝟓

𝒎
𝑲𝑶𝑳 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟒𝟐
𝒔

8
Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

1. Wetted wall column for overall M.T.C (KOG)

Wetted wall column (shape 2) is a small experimental
device used to determine the average M.T.C (KOG). It's
usually (1-1.5 in) in diameter and one meter long.

gas out
G , YA2

liquid in
L , XA2

gas in
G , YA1
liquid out
L , XA1

Shape 2 wetted wall column

9
Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

Let the transfer from gas to liquid

𝑵𝑨 = 𝑲𝑶𝑮 . 𝑨. (𝑷𝑨 − 𝑷𝑨∗ ) (14)

𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍
This is point diffusion ( ) , so
𝒔

𝑾𝑨 = ∑ 𝑵𝑨 (for all column)

𝑾𝑨= 𝑲𝑶𝑮 . 𝑨, ∆𝑷𝑳𝑴

(15)
𝑾𝑨
𝑲𝑶𝑮 =
𝑨. ∆𝑷𝑳𝑴

Where:
𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍𝒆
𝐊 𝐎𝐆 : 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌. 𝐓. 𝐂 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐞 ( )
𝒎𝟐 . 𝒔. 𝑲𝒑𝒂
A: surface area = 𝝅𝒅𝑳

To find WA O.M.B
G𝒀𝑨𝟏 + 𝑳𝑿𝑨𝟐 = 𝑮𝒀𝑨𝟐 + 𝑳𝑿𝑨𝟏

𝑾𝑨 = 𝑮(𝒀𝑨𝟏 − 𝒀𝑨𝟐 ) = 𝑳(𝑿𝑨𝟏 − 𝑿𝑨𝟐 ) (16)

Find the value of WA from one side of eq. 16

𝑿𝑨𝟐 = 𝟎 (if it does not given)

10
Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

To find ∆𝑷𝑳𝑴

∆𝑷𝟏 −∆𝑷𝟐
∆𝑷𝑳𝑴 = ∆𝑷𝟏 (17)
𝐥𝐧
∆𝑷𝟐

∆𝑷𝑨𝟏 = 𝑷𝑨𝟏 − 𝑷∗𝑨𝟏 ∗

𝑷𝑨𝟏 = H𝑪𝑨𝟏
∆𝑷𝑨𝟐 = 𝑷𝑨𝟐 − 𝑷∗𝑨𝟐 ∗
𝑷𝑨𝟐 = H𝑪𝑨𝟐

Where:
𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍
𝑾𝑨 = 𝐭𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐛𝐞
𝒔
𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍
G = Molar rate of gases
𝒔
𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍
L = Molar rate of liquids
𝒔

H = Henry constant
∆𝑷𝑳𝑴 = 𝐥𝐨𝐠 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
We can write eq. no 15 in term of mole fraction as follow:

𝑾𝑨= 𝑲𝑶𝑮 . 𝑨. ∆𝒀𝑳𝑴 (18)

∆𝒀𝟏 − ∆𝒀𝟐
∆𝒀𝑳𝑴 =
∆𝒀
𝐥𝐧 𝟏
∆𝒀𝟐

∆𝒀𝟏 = 𝒀𝟏 − 𝒀𝟏∗ 𝒀𝟏∗ = 𝒎𝑿𝟏

∆𝒀𝟐 = 𝒀𝟐 − 𝒀𝟐∗ 𝒀𝟐∗ = 𝒎𝑿𝟐

11
Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

Example 5:
A wetted wall column is used to absorb NH3 by water from a 6% by
volume in air, the gas flow rate is (1.2 kmol/min) at 1atm and 20 oC.
Calculate the overall M.T.C.
Data given:
The water flow to air flow = 1.4 (i.e L/G = 1.4)
The outlet gas concentration =1.5% by volume
The column height =100 cm
The column diameter = 2 cm
Henry constant = 1.3

Solution:

𝑾𝑨
𝑲𝑶𝑮 =
𝑨 . ∆𝒀𝑳𝑴

𝑾𝑨 = 𝑮 (𝒀𝑨𝟏 − 𝒀𝑨𝟐 ) = L (XA1 – XA2)

= 1.2 (0.06 - 0.015)

𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍 𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍
= 0.054 = 9 * 𝟏𝟎−𝟒
𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝒔

A = 𝝅𝒅𝑳

= 𝟑. 𝟏𝟒(𝟐 ∗ 𝟏𝟎−𝟐 )(𝟏)

= 0.06283 𝒎𝟐

12
Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

∆𝒀𝟏 − ∆𝒀𝟐
∆𝒀𝑳𝑴 =
∆𝒀
𝐥𝐧 𝟏
∆𝒀𝟐

∆𝒀𝟏 = 𝒀𝟏 − 𝒀𝟏∗

∆𝒀𝟐 = 𝒀𝟐 − 𝒀𝟐∗

To find 𝑿𝑨𝟏

𝑮(𝒀𝑨𝟏 − 𝒀𝑨𝟐 ) = 𝑳(𝑿𝑨𝟏 − 𝑿𝑨𝟐 )

𝑮 𝟏
𝑿𝑨𝟏 = (𝒀𝑨𝟏 − 𝒀𝑨𝟐 ) = (𝟎. 𝟎𝟔 − 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟓) = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟐𝟏
𝑳 𝟏.𝟒

∆𝒀𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟔 − 𝑯𝑿𝑨 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟔 − [𝟏. 𝟑(𝟎. 𝟎𝟑𝟐𝟏)] = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟖𝟐𝟕

∆𝒀𝟐 = 𝒀𝑨𝟐 - 𝑯𝑿𝑨𝟐

= 𝒀𝑨𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟓

𝟎.𝟎𝟏𝟖𝟐𝟕−𝟎.𝟎𝟏𝟓
∆𝒀𝑳𝑴 = 𝟎.𝟎𝟏𝟖𝟐𝟕 = 0.01659
𝐥𝐧 𝟎.𝟎𝟏𝟓

𝟎. 𝟎𝟓𝟒
𝑲𝑶𝑮 =
𝟎. 𝟎𝟔𝟐𝟖𝟑 (𝟎. 𝟎𝟏𝟔𝟓𝟗)

𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍 𝒌𝒎𝒐𝒍
= 𝟓𝟏. 𝟖 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟔
𝒎𝟐 . 𝒎𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝟐 . 𝒔𝒆𝒄

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Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

2. Empirical relations for gas film M.T.C (kg)

Individual MTC in gas film can be calculated by empirical

relations as a form of dimensionless groups like:
(Gilliland & Sherwood correlation)

Sh = a R𝒆𝒃 𝑺𝒄𝒄 (19)

Where:
𝒌𝒅
Sh: Sherwood's Number (𝑠ℎ = )
𝑫

𝝆𝒖𝒅
Re: Reynold's Number (𝑅𝑒 = )
𝝁
𝝁
Sc: Schmidt’s Number (𝑆𝑐 = )
𝝆𝑫

a, b, c are constants
𝒎
k: kg Individual M.T.C ( )
𝒔

d: Diameter (m)
𝒌𝒈
𝝆: 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲
𝒎𝟑
𝒎𝟐
D: Diffusivity ( )
𝒔

𝑵. 𝑺
𝝁: 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 ( )
𝒎𝟐
Note: equation 19 may be given with different forms like:

Sh =constant + a R𝒆𝒃 𝑺𝒄𝒄

14
Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid
University of Baghdad
College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Ch.1 Diffusion

Example 6:
Calculate the gas film coefficient (kg) for absorption of sulfur dioxide
from mixture with air in a wetted wall column using Gilliland and
Sherwood correlation, data given:

Sh = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟐𝟑 𝑹𝒆𝟎.𝟖𝟑 𝑺𝒄𝟎.𝟒𝟒

Inside diameter = 25 mm
𝒎
Gas velocity = 2.2
𝒔

Gas temp. = 293k

𝑵.𝑺
Gas viscosity = 1.78*𝟏𝟎−𝟓
𝒎𝟐
𝒌𝒈
Gas density = 1.22
𝒎𝟑

𝒎𝟐
Gas diffusivity = 1.22*𝟏𝟎−𝟓
𝒔

Solution:

𝒌𝒅 𝟐𝟓∗𝟏𝟎−𝟑 (𝒌𝒈)
Sh = = = 2049 . (kg)
𝑫 𝟏.𝟐𝟐∗𝟏𝟎−𝟓

𝟏.𝟐𝟐(𝟐.𝟐)(𝟐𝟓∗𝟏𝟎−𝟑 )
Re = = 3770
𝟏.𝟕𝟖∗𝟏.𝟐𝟐∗𝟏𝟎−𝟓

𝝁 𝟏.𝟕𝟖∗𝟏𝟎−𝟓
Sc = = = 1.1959
𝝆𝑫 𝟏.𝟐𝟐∗𝟏.𝟐𝟐∗𝟏𝟎−𝟓

Sh = 0.023 𝑹𝒆𝟎.𝟖𝟑 𝑺𝒄𝟎.𝟒𝟒

2049 . (kg) = 0.023(𝟑𝟕𝟕𝟎)𝟎.𝟖𝟑 (𝟏. 𝟏𝟗𝟓𝟗)𝟎.𝟒𝟒

𝒎
kg = 0.01129
𝒔

15
Dr. Wadood T. Mohammed & Sarmad A. Rashid