3.3. Countercurrent diffusion across a vapor film.

An insulated glass tube and condenser are

mounted on a reboiler containing benzene and toluene. The condenser returns liquid reflux down
the wall of the tube. At one point in the tube, the temperature is 170°F, the vapor contains 30 mol
% toluene, and the reflux contains 40 mol% toluene. The thickness of the stagnant vapor film is
estimated to be 0.1 in. The molar latent heats of benzene and toluene are equal. Calculate the rate
at which toluene and benzene are being interchanged by equimolar countercurrent diffusion at
this point in the tube in lbmol/h-ft2, assuming that the rate is controlled by mass transfer in the
vapor phase.

Given: Stagnant vapor film of 0.1-inch (0.00833-ft) thickness, containing 30 mol% toluene and
70 mol% benzene, in contact with liquid reflux containing 40 mol% toluene and 60 mol%
benzene.
Gas diffusivity of toluene in benzene : 0.2 ft2/h.
Pressure: 1 atm (in the tube).
Vapor pressure of toluene at 170°F =400 torr.

Assumptions:
 Equal molar heats of vaporization for benzene and toluene, such that diffusion is
equimolar, countercurrent.
 Ideal gas law and Raoult's law apply.
 All mass transfer resistance is in the vapor phase, i.e. liquid is assumed to be uniform in
composition.
 Given vapor composition is for bulk conditions.
 Phase equilibrium at the vapor-liquid interface.

Find: Mass transfer rate of toluene in lbmol/h-ft .

2

Solution:
At the vapor-liquid interface, use Eq. 2-44 to solve for the mole fraction of toluene at the
interface

PT s 400
y T 1 =xT
P
=0.4 ( )
760
=0,211

From the ideal gas law, total gas concentration is

P 1 lbmol
c= = =0.00217
RT 0.7302∗630 ft 3
From Fick’s law, Eq. 3.16 of finite difference, the diffusion of toluene from the bulk vapor to the
vapor-liquid interface.
N T =x T cDT ,B ¿ ¿
 lbmol
N T =0.00464
h ft 2
Thus, benzene diffuses at the same rate in the opposite position