CDB 3033

TRANSPORT PHENOMENA
Mass Transport
ii. Diffusion through a stagnant gas film

Course Outcomes
CLO1 Explain the theoretical aspect of momentum, mass
and energy transport
CLO2 Apply mathematical and numerical methodology in
analyzing momentum transfer problem
CLO3 Apply mathematical and numerical methodology in
analyzing heat transfer problem
CLO4 Apply mathematical and numerical methodology in
analyzing mass transfer problems
CLO5 Analyze and solve transport phenomena using
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools.

Semester May 2013

Lesson outcomes
At the end of the lesson the students should be
able to:
Solve the problem of diffusion through a stagnant film.

Combined Mass Flux

Combined Mass Flux of species A in z-direction is given by :

n Az j Az A n Az nBz
n Az DAB

A
A n Az nBz
z

Molecular flux

Resulting from
concentration
gradient

Convective flux
Resulting from the bulk
motion of the fluid

Similarly for species B:

B
nBz DBA
B n Az nBz
z

Combined Molar Flux

Combined Molar Flux of species A in z-direction is given by :

N Az J Az xA N Az N Bz
N Az cDAB

x A
x A N Az N Bz
z

Molecular flux
Resulting from
concentration
gradient

Convective flux
Resulting from the bulk
motion of the fluid

Similarly for species B:

N Bz cDBA

xB
xB N Az N Bz
z
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Shell Mass Balance

The law of conservation of mass of species A in a
binary system over the volume of shell at steady state
is given by
Rate of
Rate of
rate of production of A

0
mass of A in mass of A out by reaction

Boundary Conditions
Common Boundary Conditions:
1. Concentration can be specified at the boundary, i.e. xA=xA0
2. Molar flux can be specified at the boundary, i.e. NAz=NA0
3. If diffusion occurs in the solid, at the solid surface
substance A is lost to a surrounding stream according to

NA0=kc(cA0-cAb). kc-mass transfer coefficient

4. Rate of Chemical Reaction at the surface can be specified
NA0=k1CA0. (k1-1st order rate constant)

Diffusion through a stagnant gas

The tube shown in the figure contains liquid A. Gas B is flowing
across the mouth of the tube. Liquid A is evaporating in Gas B but
gas B is stagnant in the tube because it is insoluble in the liquid.
Determine the concentration distribution and molar flux of A.

Gas B

Gas A
evaporated

z2

z1

Liquid A

z=0

z-direction

Diffusion through a stagnant gas

Schematic Diagram
Assumptions
B is stagnant, i.e., NB=0
Boundary conditions

At z=z1 xA=x A1
At z=z2 xA=x A2

Diffusion through a stagnant gas

Mechanisms of Mass Transfer
Combined mass transfer

N Az J Az xA N Az N Bz

(1)

Since B is stagnant

N Az J Az x A N Az

N Az cDAB

dx A
x A N Az
dz

(2)

Rearranging (2)

N Az

cD AB dx A

1 x A dz

(3)
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Diffusion through a stagnant gas

Shell Balance
Shell Balance Equation

Rate of
Rate of
rate of production

0
mass of A in mass of A out of A by reaction

S .N Az z S .N Az

z z

(4)

S = cross sectional area of the cylinder

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Diffusion through a stagnant gas

Dividing both sides of (4) by SZ , ( note that S is constant in z- direction)

N Az z N Az

z z

(5)

Taking the shell as thin as possible:

dN Az
0
dz

(6)

N Az c1

(7)

Integrating (6)

Diffusion through a stagnant gas

Combining (7) and (3)

cDAB dx A

c1
1 x A dz
dx A
cDAB
c1dz
1 xA

(8)

1 x A2
c1 ( z 2 z1 )
cDAB ln
1 x A1

(9)

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Diffusion through a stagnant gas

Rearranging (8) we get

1 x A2
cDAB
c1
ln
( z 2 z1 ) 1 x A1

(10)

Since c1= NAz from (7) , we get the molar flux equation to be
N Az

1 x A2
cDAB

ln
( z 2 z1 ) 1 x A1

(11)

NB:
Note that for gases it is common to give the partial and total
pressure together with temperature, rather than concentration.
In such cases (11) can be changed as follows
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Diffusion through a stagnant gas

pA = partial pressure of A
pB = Partial pressure of B
P= total pressure
T= Temperature
P
c
RT

pA
xA
P

pB
xB
P

Using the above relations in (11) we get

N Az

P p A2
PDAB

ln
RT ( z 2 z1 ) P p A1

(12)

Diffusion through a stagnant gas

Composition distribution/ partial pressure distribution
Integrating (8) from z1 at composition xA1 to any z at composition xA

1 xA
c1 ( z z1 )
cDAB ln
1 x A1

(13)

Dividing (13) by (9) and rearranging

1 x A ( z z1 ) 1 x A 2

ln
ln
1 x A1 ( z 2 z1 ) 1 x A1

(14)

Simplifying (14) we get

1 x A 1 x A2

1 x A1 1 x A1

( z z1 ) /( z 2 z1 )

(15)
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Diffusion through a stagnant gas

Steady state diffusion of A through stagnant B with the liquid vapor
interface maintained at a fixed point.

Gas-liquid
interface

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Lesson outcome
You have learnt:
Solve the problem of diffusion through a stagnant film.

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