NPTEL – Chemical – Mass Transfer Operation 1

MODULE 3: MASS TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS

LECTURE NO. 5

3.5 THEORIES OF MASS TRANSFER

Many theories are available to explain the behavior of mass transfer coefficient
such as the film, penetration, surface renewal and others. The theories are based
on both molecular and turbulent diffusion. The theories are explained in details in
the following sections.

3.5.1 Film theory

In case of one dimensional convective mass transfer, the concentration
distribution is linear. The coefficient of mass transfer in this special case is
proportional to the diffusion coefficient and inversely proportional to the film. This
phenomenon is commonly known as the film theory. The schematic diagram of
concentration profile with stagnant film is shown in Figure 3.3.
The expression of mass transfer coefficient is developed theoretically by
visualizing the mechanism. This is done by film theory. Film theory is based on
the following assumptions:
a) Mass transfer occurs by molecular diffusion through a fluid layer at phase
boundary (solid wall). Beyond this film, concentration is homogeneous and
is CAb.
b) Mass transfer through the film occurs at steady state.
c) Flux is low and mass transfer occurs at low concentration.
 DAB dC A
Hence, N A  (3.51)
dZ

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
Concentration profile in stagnant film
CAi

Actual concentration profile
CAi CAb
CA CAb

NA|Z NA|Z+Z
0 Z
Z
Z

Figure 3.3: Schematic diagram of concentration profile with stagnant film.

Steady-state mass balance is done over an elementary volume of thickness Z.

Rate of input of solute at Z=NA|Z
Rate of output of solute at Z+Z=NA|Z+Z
Rate of accumulation=0= (rate of input-rate of output)
Therefore, at steady state, NA|Z-NA|Z+Z=0
N A Z  N A Z Z
Lim 0 (3.52)
Z 0 Z
dN A
0 (3.53)
dZ
d   DAB dC A 
 0 (3.54)
dZ  dZ 
 DAB d 2C A
0 (3.55)
dZ 2
d 2C A
0 (3.56)
dZ 2
Integrating Equation (3.55) for the following boundary conditions:
CA=CAi when Z=0
CA=CAb when Z=
We have now,

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Z
C A  C Ai  (C Ai  C Ab ) (3.57)

Hence, according to film theory, concentration profile in stagnant film is linear.
Molar flux through film, NA:
 DAB dC A
NA 
dZ Z 0

DAB (C Ai  C Ab )
NA  (3.58)

Now comparing Equation (3.58) with Equation (3.8),
D AB
kL  (3.59)

Film theory is useful in the analysis of mass transfer with chemical reaction. For
turbulent flow, the mass transfer coefficient has much smaller dependency
compared to laminar flow. In the turbulent flow, the mass transfer coefficient is
n
proportional to DAB where n may be zero to 0.9, depending upon the operating
conditions. Although the film theory offers some explanation of the mechanism of
mass transfer in fluid media, it does not explain the estimation thickness of the
film. Due to this disadvantage, application of the model is restricted to mass
transfer in a diffusion cell.

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