CHE-241

Mass transfer
(Week 5-6)

 
Instructor: Engr. Ayesha Raza​
School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME)​
National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan
Maxwell's Law for multicomponent mass transfer

This law can be applied to the diffusion of a constituent of a multicomponent gas.

Considering the transfer of component, A through a stationary gas consisting of
components B, C, D, ... etc.

Where: DAm is the effective diffusivity of A in the mixture

 Maxwell's Law for multicomponent mass transfer
Calculation of the effective diffusivity of (A) in the mixture (DAm):
Let A be the diffusing species through stagnant mixture of B, C, D ….. etc.

Since stagnant diffusion layer of the mixture: NB = NC = ND =

0

Binary diffusion for the diffusion of A in B (stagnant B)

Binary diffusion for the diffusion of A in C (stagnant C)

Binary diffusion for the diffusion of A in D (stagnant D)

 Maxwell's Law for multicomponent mass transfer

For dilute mixture (low concentration of A), XA → 0

Maxwell's Law for multicomponent mass transfer
Maxwell's Law for multicomponent mass transfer
 Maxwell's Law for multicomponent mass transfer
Example: Nitrogen is diffusing under steady condition through a mixture of 2% N2,
20% C2H6 , 30% C2H4 and 48% C4H10 at 298 K and 100 kPa. The partial
pressure of nitrogen at two planes (1 mm ) apart are 13.3 & 6.67 kPa, respectively.
Calculate the rate of N2 across the two planes. The diffusivity of N2 through C4H10
, C2H6 and C2H4 may be taken as 9.6*10-6 /s , 14.8*10-6 /s and 16.3*10-6 /s,
respectively.

Solution:
 Steady state vs. Unsteady state diffusion
Steady state diffusion is a form of diffusion that takes place at a constant rate.
Here, the number of moles of particles that cross a given interface is constant
with time.
dc/dx = constant
dc/dt = 0

Unsteady state diffusion or non-steady state diffusion is a form of diffusion in

which the rate of diffusion is a function of time
dc/dx = vary with time
dc/dt  ≠ 0
 Steady state vs. Unsteady state diffusion
Fick’s second law determines unsteady state diffusion quantitatively. Fick’s second law of
diffusion is used to predict how the concentration changes with time when diffusion occurs.
 Fick’s second law of diffusion
Mass entering in ΔV at x in time Δt
= A𝐽 𝑥Δt
Mass leaving in ΔV at x+Δx in time
Δt
= A Δt

Mass accumulating in ΔV in time Δt

Mass in – mass out 𝐽 𝑥
C
Δm = A Δt + A Δt𝐽
𝑥
x Δm = -A Δt ( - )
Δm = - ΔJ A Δt
 ΔC =

=-

-
Fick’s second law of diffusion

is the mass flow velocity

equimolar counter diffusion

Fick’s second law for unsteady state diffusion in one direction