Ch.

26

Steady State Molecular Diffusion

inlet – outlet + generation – consumption = accumulation

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 Ch.26

inlet – outlet + generation – consumption = accumulation

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Dr. A Al-Juhani 3
Ch.26

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Steps to solve all problems in Chapter 26

1. Sketch your system

(you should identify your two B.C. clearly on the sketch)
2. Write your assumptions
3. Write the differential mol balance equation, then simplify it
according to your assumptions
(you should apply it for a point located in-between the two B.C.)
1. Write the definition for according to your coordinate
system, then simplify it according to your assumptions, then
substitute it in the differential mol balance equation
2. Write the definition for NA from Table 24.2, then simplify it
according to your assumptions, then substitute it in the differential
mol balance equation
3. Solve the resulting differential equation with two boundary
conditions
(at the end, you will obtain yA (or cA) as a function of distance)
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26.1 One-Dimensional Mass Transfer
(with no chemical reaction)

Case 1: Arnold Diffusion Cell with infinite source of liquid A:

(see the sketch on figure 26.1)

Unimolecular Diffusion

 Diffusion through a
stagnant gas film
 Constant diffusion
path

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 26.1 One-Dimensional Mass Transfer
(with no chemical reaction)

Unimolecular Diffusion

Example 1

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 26.1 One-Dimensional Mass Transfer
(with no chemical reaction)

Pseudo – Steady State

Diffusion through a
stagnant gas film, with
a moving liquid surface

 Assumption:
the difference in the level of
liquid A over the time
interval considered is only a
small fraction of the total
diffusion path.
therefore, molar flux in the
gas phase may be
considered as s.state process
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26.1 One-Dimensional Mass Transfer
(with no chemical reaction)

Equimolar Counter Diffusion

Flux of one component (in a binary system) is equal to
but acting in the opposite direction from the other
component

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26.2 One-Dimensional Mass Transfer
(with chemical reaction)

Homogeneous rxn:
 rxn takes place uniformly at every location in your
system
 The rxn term will not be zero in the diff mol bal eq

Heterogeneous rxn:
 rxn takes place only at one location in your system (at the
surface only)
 The rxn term will be zero in the diff mol bal eq

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26.2 One-Dimensional Mass Transfer
(with chemical reaction)

Simultaneous Diffusion and Heterogeneous 1st order rxn:

Pseudo – Steady State

Steady state diffusion of
oxygen through a gas
film surrounding the
solid sphere

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26.2 One-Dimensional Mass Transfer
(with chemical reaction)

Heterogeneous rxn

Example 3

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26.2 One-Dimensional Mass Transfer
(with chemical reaction)

Heterogeneous rxn
Pseudo – Steady State
Example 2

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26.2 One-Dimensional Mass Transfer
(with chemical reaction)

Heterogeneous rxn
Pseudo – Steady State
Example 2 (continued):

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26.2 One-Dimensional Mass Transfer
(with chemical reaction)

Homogeneous rxn

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26.2 One-Dimensional Mass Transfer
(with chemical reaction)

Homogeneous rxn
Example 4

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26.2 One-Dimensional Mass Transfer
(with chemical reaction)

Example 4 (continued)

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Examples

Problem 26.5 Dr. A Al-Juhani 18

Examples

Problem 26.6 Dr. A Al-Juhani 19