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(CHAPTER 4)
Molecular Diffusion in Solids
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Topic Outcomes

 It is expected that student will be able to:

 Apply the diffusivity coefficient of molecular

diffusion in solids.
 Solve mathematical solution of molecular
diffusion in solids.
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Content
• INTRODUCTION
• DIFFUSION IN SOLIDS
(WHICH FOLLOW FICK’S LAW AND DOES
NOT DEPEND ON THE STRUCTURE OF
SOLIDS)
• DIFFUSION IN POROUS SOLIDS
(THAT DEPENDS ON THE STRUCTURE OF
SOLIDS)
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DIFFUSION IN SOLIDS
(WHICH FOLLOW FICK’S LAW AND
DOES NOT DEPEND ON THE
STRUCTURE OF SOLIDS)

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SLAB WALL

𝐷𝐴𝐵 𝑐𝐴1 − 𝑐𝐴2

𝑁𝐴 =
𝑧2 − 𝑧1
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CYLINDER WALL

2𝜋𝐿
𝑁𝐴 = 𝐷𝐴𝐵 𝑐𝐴1 − 𝑐𝐴2
𝑙𝑛 𝑟2 /𝑟1
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Assumptions :
Steady state
One-dimensional
Concentration does not change with time
No production or destruction of species
No chemical reaction
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Multilayer composite membrane
structure of membranes for gas
separation

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Example 1 : Diffusion of H2 Through Neoprene

Membrane
o The gas hydrogen at 17oC and 0.010 atm partial
pressure is diffusing through a membrane of
vulcanized neoprene rubber 0.5 mm thick. The
pressure of H2 on the other side of the neoprene
is zero. Calculate the steady-state flux, assuming
the only resistance to diffusion is in the
membrane. The solubility, S of H2 gas in
neoprene at 17oC is 0.051 m3 (at STP of 0oC and
1 atm)/m3 solid.atm and the diffusivity DAB is
1.03 x 10-10 m2/s at 17oC.
(Ans: 4.69 x 10-12 kg mol/m2s)
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Example 2 : Diffusion Through a Packing Film

Using Permeability

o A polyethylene film 0.00015 m (0.15 mm) thick

is being considered for use in packaging a
pharmaceutical product at 30oC. If the partial
pressure of O2 outside the package is 0.21 atm
and inside it is 0.01 atm, calculate the diffusion
flux of O2 at steady state. Assume that the
resistances to diffusion outside the film and
inside are negligible compared to the resistance
of the film.

(Ans: 2.48 x 10-10 kg mol/m2s)

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Problem 6.5-1 (pg 455) Diffusion of CO2 Through

Rubber

A flat plug 30 mm thick is having an area of 4.0 x 10-4 m2 and

made of vulcanized rubber is used for closing an opening in a
container. The gas CO2 at 25°C and 2.0 atm pressure is inside
the container. Calculate the total leakage or diffusion of CO2
through the plug to the outside in kg mol CO2/s at steady state.
Assume that the partial pressure of CO2 outside is zero. From
Barrer, the solubility of the CO2 gas is 0.90 m3 gas (at STP of
0°C and 1 atm) per m3 rubber per atm pressure of CO2. The
diffusivity is 0.11 x 10-9 m2/s

Ans: 1.178 x 10-13 kg mol CO2/s

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Problem 6.5-4 (pg 456) Loss from a Tube of Neoprene

Hydrogen gas at 2.0 atm and 27°C is flowing in a neopropene

tube 3.0 mm inside diameter and 11 mm outside diameter.
Calculate the leakage of H2 through a tube 1.0 m long in kg
mol H2/s at steady state.

Ans: 1.4213 x 10-13 kg mol H2/s

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Problem 6.5-5 (pg 456) Diffusion Through

Membranes in Series.

Nitrogen gas at 2.0 atm and 30°C is diffusing

through a membrane of nylon 1.0 mm thick and
polyethylene 8.0 mm thick in series. The partial
pressure at the other side of the two films is 0
atm. Assuming no other resistances, calculate
the flux NA at steady state.

Ans: 1.256 × 10-12 kg mol N2/s

Problem 6.5-8 (pg 456) Loss of Helium and
Permeability
A window of SiO2 2.0 mm thick and 1.0 x 10-4 m2 in
area is used to view the contents in a metal vessel at
20°C. Helium gas at 202.6 kPa is contained in the
vessel. To be conservative use DAB = 5.5 x 10-14
m2/s.
a) Calculate the loss of He in kg mol/h at steady state
b) Calculate permeability PM
DIFFUSION IN POROUS
SOLIDS
(THAT DEPENDS ON THE
STRUCTURE OF SOLIDS)

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Example 3 : Diffusion of Potassium Cloride,

KCl in Porous Silica
o A sintered solid of silica 0.002 m thick is porous,
with a void fraction, ε of 0.30 a tortuosity of 4.0.
The pores are filled with water at 298 K. At one
face the concentration, CA1 of KCl is held at 0.10
g mol/liter, and fresh water flows rapidly past the
other surface, CA2= 0. Neglecting any other
resistance but that in the porous solid, calculate
the diffusion of KCl at steady state.

(Ans: 7.01 x 10-9 kg mol/m2s)

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Problem 6.5-6 (pg 456) Diffusion of CO2 in a

Packed Bed of Sand

It is desired to calculate the rate of diffusion of CO2

gas in air at steady state through a loosely packed bed
of sand at 276 K and a total pressure of 1.013 x 105
Pa. The bed depth is 1.25 m and the void fraction ɛ is
0.30. The partial pressure of CO2 is 2.026 x 103 Pa at
the top of the bed and 0 Pa at the bottom. Use a τ of
1.87.
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EXERCISE: PREVIOUS FINAL EXAM QUESTION

Consider a leakage of oxygen through the plug with 20 mm thickness and area of
0.0002 m2 at 20 °C and 3 atm. Assume that the partial pressure of oxygen outside is
0.002 atm, and the solubility of oxygen is 0.7 m3 gas (at STP of 0 °C and 1 atm) per m3
rubber per atm pressure of oxygen. The diffusivity is 0.2 × 10-9 m2/s at 20 °C.

i) Draw a diagram indicating concentration profile, thickness and partial pressure.

ii) Determine the total leakage of oxygen in kg mol O2/s.
 EXERCISE: PREVIOUS FINAL EXAM QUESTION
Oygen at 3 atm and 20 °C is diffusing through a vulcanized rubber (2 mm
thickness), polyethylene (3 mm thickness) and nylon (5 mm thickness) in series.
Consider the partial pressure of oxygen at the other side of the three films is zero.
Assume that permeability of oxygen is 0.152 × 10-10 m3 solute (STP)/m3 solid.
atm for vulcanized rubber, 6.53 × 10-12 m3 solute (STP)/m3 solid. atm for
polyethylene and 0.029 × 10-12 m3 solute (STP)/m3 solid. atm for nylon.
i) Draw a diagram indicating the concentration profile, thickess and partial
pressure.
ii) State TWO (2) important assumptions and determine the flux of oxygen in
kmol/m2.s.
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