MASS TRANSFER

INTRODUCTION
 In bioprocessing there are many situations
where concentrations of compound are not
uniform.
 So we mainly depend on the mass transfer to
transport material from the region of higher
concentration to region where there is low
concentration.
EXAMPLE - 1
 When dye is dropped into a pail of water
mass transfer processes are responsible for
the movement of dye molecules through the
water until the equilibrium is established and
the concentration is uniform.
 Mass is transferred from one location to
another under the influence of a concentration
difference or concentration gradient in the
system.
EXAMPLE - 2
 Mass transfer in the extraction of penicillin
from fermentation liquor using the organic
solvents such as butyl acetate.
 When solvent is added to the broth the
penicillin present at low concentration in the
organic solvent which causes the mass
transfer of penicillin into the solvent.
MOLECULAR DIFFUSION
 Molecular diffusion is the movement of
component molecules in a mixture under the
influence of concentration difference in the
system.
 Diffusion of molecules occurs in the direction
required to destroy the concentration
gradient.
FICK’S LAW OF DIFFUSION
 JA =mass flux of component
 NA = rate of mass transfer of component
A
 A – interfacial area
 DAB = diffusivity co – efficient
ROLE DIFFUSION IN
BIOPROCESSING

 Scale of mixing
 Solid – phase reaction
 Mass transfer across a phase boundary.
SCALE OF MIXING

 Turbulence in fluids produces bulk mixing on

a scale equal to the smallest.
 Within the smallest eddies flow is streamline
so that further mixing must occur by diffusion
of fluid components.
 Mixing on a molecular scale therefore relies
on diffusion as final step in the mixing
process
SOLID – PHASE REACTION

 In the biochemical system reaction

sometimes mediated by catalyst in solid form.

 Mass transfer within the solid particles is

usually unassisted by bulk fluid convection
 The only mechanism for intra particle mass
transfer is by diffusion
 MASS TRANSFER ACROSS A PHASE BOUDARY.

 Mass transfer between phases occurs often in

bioprocessing.
 When different phases come into contact fluid
velocity near the phase interphase is
significantly decreased and diffusion becomes
crucial for mass transfer across the interface.
Film theory
contd
 The two film theory is a useful model for
mass transfer between phases.
 Mass transfer of solutes from one phase to
another involves transport from the bulk of
one phase to the phase boundary or
interphase and then from the interphase to
the bulk of second phase.
Contd

 The film theory is based on the idea that a

fluid film or mass transfer boundary layer form
wherever there is contact between two
phases.
Mass transfer in bioprocessing
 The mass transfer in bioprocessing can
be classified into three categories.

1. Liquid –solid mass transfer

2. Liquid –liquid mass transfer
3. Gas –liquid mass transfer