CH3521: Heat and Mass Transfer lab II, January-May 2024

EXP-2: BATCH ABSORPTION KINETICS

Date of Experiment: 22/02/2024

Date of Submission: 29/02/2024

Batch: Thursday, Group: 16

NAME ROLL NUMBER

JAABILI SRI CH21B64
NARENDRA KAWCHE CH21B065
ABHISHEK NEMADE CH21B066

1. AIM
• To calculate the mass transfer coefficient for adsorption
• To compare the mass transfer coefficients with estimates from correlation for similar systems.
2. THEORY
Adsorption is the process by which atoms, ions, or molecules from a gas, liquid, or dissolved solid adhere to a
surface, creating a thin film. Activated carbon, with its exceptionally high surface area-to-volume ratio, is a
widely used adsorbent. This experiment will explore the kinetics of methylene blue adsorption onto activated
charcoal. Our goal is to determine the rate at which the dye transfers to the charcoal and compare it to
theoretical models. Understanding adsorption kinetics has applications in numerous industries, particularly in
the treatment of wastewater containing synthetic dyes used in textile, paper, and printing processes.

Furthermore, physical adsorption, exemplified by activated carbon, finds applications in removing organic
and inorganic molecules from gas streams. This includes purifying electroplating solutions used in metal
finishing. To analyze the effectiveness of such processes, UV-Vis spectroscopy comes into play. This
technique utilizes light in the visible and adjacent ranges to measure the absorption spectra of samples.
Double beam UV/Vis spectrophotometers are the usual tools employed for this purpose.

A double beam UV/Vis spectrophotometer functions by analyzing both a reference and a sample solution to
ascertain the sample's absorbance. Through a system of mirrors, the light source is split into two beams. One
beam travels through the sample solution while the other passes through the reference solution. A diffraction
grating then permits light of various wavelengths to pass through both solutions.

The sample solution's absorbance is calculated by comparing the light intensities exiting the two solutions.
We assume the reference solution undergoes minimal scattering, allowing the maximum light intensity (I₀) to
pass through. The intensity of light passing through the sample solution is denoted as I.

The absorbance (A) is calculated as follows:

𝐼0
𝐴 = 𝑙𝑜𝑔10
𝐼
 CH3521: Heat and Mass Transfer lab II, January-May 2024

Since the concentration of the sample solution exhibits a proportional relationship to its absorbance, the
UV/Vis spectrophotometer serves as a valuable tool in this experiment to monitor the concentration of the dye
at various points in time.

𝐶 ∝𝐴

The Langmuir Isotherm follows the following equation

𝑞𝑒 = 𝑘𝐶𝑒1⁄𝑛

1
𝑙𝑛𝑞𝑒 = 𝑙𝑛𝑘 + 𝑙𝑛𝐶𝑒 − − − − − −𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑑
𝑛
𝑄𝑏𝐶𝑒
𝑞𝑒 =
1 + 𝑏𝐶𝑒
1 1 1
= + − − − − − − 𝐿𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒𝑑
𝑞𝑒 𝑄 𝑄𝑏𝐶𝑒

In the context of the adsorption process, Q represents the maximum capacity of the adsorbent, signifying the
highest amount of the adsorbate it can hold onto its surface. The constant b characterizes the strength of the
interaction between the adsorbent and the adsorbate. When b has a high value, and the product Qb is
considerably greater than one, it implies that the adsorption process is highly favourable. This scenario
suggests that the adsorbent has a strong affinity for the adsorbate and readily reaches its maximum adsorption
capacity.

While modelling adsorption kinetics can be quite complex and involves utilizing differential equations, one
common approach is the pseudo-first-order model. In this model, qt signifies the amount of dye adsorbed
at a specific time point (t), and k1 represents the rate constant governing the adsorption process. This
model provides a simplified representation of the actual adsorption process, often providing valuable insights
even though it may not perfectly capture all the underlying complexities.

𝑑𝑞𝑡
= 𝑘1 (𝑞𝑒 − 𝑞𝑡 )
𝑑𝑡
𝑙𝑛(𝑞𝑒 − 𝑞𝑡 ) = 𝑙𝑛(𝑞𝑒 ) − 𝑙𝑛(𝑞𝑡 )

Assuming a linear model for equilibrium, i.e. 𝑞 = 𝑘𝐶𝑒

Mass balancing gives 𝑚(𝑞 − 𝑞0 ) = 𝑉(𝐶0 − 𝐶) = 𝑚𝑞 (𝑎𝑠 𝑞0 = 0)

Where
m: mass of absorbent added
V: volume of the system
If 𝑘𝑐 is the mass transfer coefficient and a is the area available for mass transfer per unit volume, we can
write:
𝑑𝐶
= 𝑘𝑐 𝑎(𝐶𝑒 − 𝐶)
𝑑𝑡

Assuming 1st order kinetics,

𝑑𝐶 𝑞
= 𝑘𝑐 𝑎 ( − 𝐶)
𝑑𝑡 𝑘
 CH3521: Heat and Mass Transfer lab II, January-May 2024

𝑑𝐶 𝑉(𝐶𝑒 − 𝐶)
= 𝑘𝑐 𝑎 ( − 𝐶)
𝑑𝑡 𝑘
Using mass balance after rearranging,
𝑑𝐶
= 𝑘𝑐 𝑎𝑑𝑡
𝑉 𝑉
[(1 + ) 𝐶 ( ) 𝐶0 ]
𝑚𝑘 𝑚𝑘

𝑉 𝐶 𝑉 𝑉
𝑙𝑛 [(1 + ) − ] = (1 + ) (−𝑘𝑐 𝑎𝑡)
𝑚𝑘 𝐶0 𝑚𝑘 𝑚𝑘

𝐶 𝑉 𝑉 1
= (𝑒 (1+𝑚𝑘)(−𝑘𝑐𝑎𝑡) + )( )
𝐶0 𝑚𝑘 1 + 𝑉
𝑚𝑘

3. MATERIAL REQUIRED
• Dye: Indigo Carmine
• Micro Balance
• Beaker
• Distilled Water
• Magnetic stirrer
• UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
• Activated carbon
• Pipette
4. PROCEDURE
1. Dye Solution Preparation
• Utilize a microbalance to accurately measure out 50 mg of dye and transfer it as needed into a beaker.
• combine the measured dye with distilled water to create a dye solution of 1 liter volume.
2. Dye Sample Preparation for Calibration:
• Dispense a modest amount of the dye solution into sample vials and subsequently dilute it with distilled
water.
• Employ a UV-Vis spectrophotometer to gather concentration-absorbance data from samples varying in
concentration.
3. Batch Adsorption:
• Incorporate a predetermined quantity of high-quality activated carbon into the dye solution.
• Employ a magnetic stirrer to gently agitate the mixture, ensuring even dispersion of the activated carbon.
• Pause intermittently during stirring to allow the mixture to settle, then extract 1ml of clear liquid for
concentration measurement via UV-Vis spectrophotometer.
• Dilute the extracted sample with distilled water and transfer the appropriate volume to a small vessel for
further analysis.
4. UV-Visible spectrophotometer and concentration analysis of sample:
• Power on both the spectrophotometer and the computer, then open the software designated for spectral
measurement and analysis.
• Adjust the measurement parameters, including wavelength range and scan rate, as required.
• Conduct reference measurements using distilled water prior to analyzing the samples.
• Position the sample in the allocated slot with the transparent side facing the laser beam.
 CH3521: Heat and Mass Transfer lab II, January-May 2024

• Ensure the sample slot is clean to prevent fingerprint interference, and maintain distilled water in the
reference slot.
• Commence the data collection procedure. Upon acquisition of the data, identify the peak position and
absorbance values.
5. EXPERIMENTAL OBSERVATION
Calibration Data:

Concentration 𝜆 (nm) Absorbance

50 610 1.64
40 610 1.28
30 610 0.935
20 610 0.624
10 610 0.315

Figure 1: Calibration plot

Fitting line of the above curve:

Y=30.421x+1.0187

Where Y = Concentration and X=Absorbance

Data of Absorbance and time in data:

Time(min) Wavelength(nm) Absorbance Concentration
0 610 0.577 18.581
10 610 0.420 13.802
20 610 0.374 12.399
 CH3521: Heat and Mass Transfer lab II, January-May 2024

30 610 0.371 12.314

40 610 0.408 13.430
50 610 0.396 13.059
60 610 0.375 12.420
70 610 0.433 14.182
80 610 0.415 13.653
Here the data we got in the experiment is deviating from actual true data at four points mainly at 20,30,70
and 80 min. So, we have plotted the graph excluding those values.

Figure 2: Plot of Concentration vs Time

6. CALCULATIONS:
Calculation of theoretical kc:

Using Sh=2, v=8.9 * 10-7 where v is kinematic viscosity, DL is the molecular diffusion coefficient, and dp is the
particle diameter.

Using the above formula, the theoretical Sherwood Number comes out to be 3.25*10-5
 CH3521: Heat and Mass Transfer lab II, January-May 2024

7. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

From mass balance written above and rearranging,

Here, V=1L, m=50mg, k=V*(C0-C*)/mC*

From the graph,

Kc (experimental) = 4.08*10-5 m/s

Kc (theoretical) = 3.25*10-5 m/s Error % = 24.61%

8. CONCLUSIONS
• The plot of Absorbance vs Concentration (ppm) obtained after calibration came out to a be linear increasing
relationship
• The concentration of the dye decreased exponentially as time progressed due to adsorption from the activated
carbon
• The mass transfer coefficient obtained from the graph and obtained from the empirical relations are close and
show less error
9. SOURCES OF ERROR
• Solution evaporation in the open atmosphere caused alterations in system volume.
• Temperature fluctuations affected system kinetics and equilibrium.
• Concentration data showed outliers and unexpected trends, introducing errors in analysis.
• The stirrer's duration of inactivity varied randomly and lacked consistency.
• Both the timed solution and calibration solutions were used without prior dilution before spectrophotometer
analysis.
10. PRECAUTIONS
• Prior to UV-Vis analysis, make sure to thoroughly clean the cuvette's sides facing the light source, ensuring
they are free from fingerprints.
• During sample collection, take care to avoid extracting carbon particles along with the indigo carmine
solution.
• Before UV-Vis spectroscopy, aim to dilute samples as extensively as feasible.
• Handle the equipment with care to prevent damage and maintain accurate measurements.
 CH3521: Heat and Mass Transfer lab II, January-May 2024

11. REFERENCES
• [3] Çengel, Yunus A., and John M. Cimbala. Fluid Mechanics. 2006
• Heat and Mass transfer notes