Zulamita Zapata B.

, UPB

Chapters 6
Introduction to Convective and Interface
Mass Transfer
 Zulamita Zapata B., UPB

Convective Mass Transfer

𝒌𝒄

Convective mass transfer involves the transport of material between a boundary

surface and a moving fluid. When the mass transfer involves a solute dissolving
into a moving fluid, we can define a convective mass transfer coefficient by an
equation analogous to Newton’s law of cooling.

N A = kc ( c A, s − c A ,  )

Composition of the solute Represents the composition

in the fluid at the interface at some point within the
(Equilibrium at T and P), fluid phase.
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Convective Mass Transfer

Consider the mass transfer of a solute A from a solid to a fluid flowing past the
surface of the solid

The mass transfer at the surface is by molecular

c A, s − c A ,  diffusion
dc A
N A = − DAB 2
dy y =0
y c A, s − c A = f ( y )
Therefore, combining the equations we obtain
∙
Concentration boundary layer − DAB ( dc A dy ) y =0
kc =
N A = k c ( c A , s − c A , ) 1 (c A, s − c A , )
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Boundary layer theory

c A
+ v  c A = DAB  2 c A + RA
t

1 1
c A c c 2 2
Sh𝑥 = 0.332 Re𝑥 Sc 3 Re𝑐 = 5 × 105
vx + v y A = DAB 2A 1
x y y 2
1
Sh𝐿 = 0.664 𝑅𝑒𝐿 Sc 3 Sc ≥ 1.0

Mass transfer into a stream flowing under forced and natural convection
 kc Lc
 kc Lc  Sh =
 Sh = DAB
DAB  𝜈
 
  L3c  g 𝑆𝑐 =
Forced   vLc Natural Gr = 𝐷𝐴𝐵
 Re =  DAB
convection  convection 
 
 
Sh = f ( Re,Sc )   Sh = f ( Gr,Sc ) Sc =
Sc =   DAB
  DAB
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Individual coefficients

Interphase
𝑘𝐺 𝑘𝐿

CA,G
CA,Gi
∙C
∙ A,Li CA,L

𝛿𝐺 𝛿𝐿

Gas film Liquid film

(gas phase) (liquid phase)
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Interphase
𝑘𝐺 𝑘𝐿

CA,G
CA,Gi
∙C
∙ A,Li CA,L

𝑁𝐴
𝑛𝐴

Driving force of specie A

∆𝑃𝐴 ∆𝑦𝐴 ∆𝐶𝐴,𝐺 Gas phase

∆𝐶𝐴 ∆𝑥𝐴 ∆𝐶𝐴,𝐿 Liquid phase

∆𝜌𝐴 ∆𝜔𝐴

Driving force and Flux equation
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝐺 𝑃𝐴 − 𝑃𝐴,𝑖
𝑃𝐴
𝑦𝐴 = 𝑃𝐴 = 𝑦𝐴 ∙ 𝑃
𝑃 𝐶𝐴,𝐺
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝐺 𝑦𝐴 𝑃 − 𝑦𝐴,𝑖 𝑃
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝐺 𝑃 𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝐴,𝑖
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑦 𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝐴,𝑖
Zulamita Zapata B., UPB
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝐺 𝑃𝐴 − 𝑃𝐴,𝑖
𝑃𝐴
= Ideal gases ∴ 𝑃𝐴 = 𝐶𝐴,𝐺 𝑅𝑇
𝑅𝑇
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝐺 𝐶𝐴,𝐺 𝑅𝑇 − 𝐶𝐴,𝐺𝑖 𝑅𝑇
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝐺 𝑅𝑇 𝐶𝐴,𝐺 − 𝐶𝐴,𝐺𝑖
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑐 𝐶𝐴,𝐺 − 𝐶𝐴,𝐺𝑖
 Zulamita Zapata B., UPB

The mass transfer process continue trough liquid phase:

𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑐 𝐶𝐴,𝐿𝑖 − 𝐶𝐴,𝐿
𝐶𝐴,𝐿
𝑥𝐴 = 𝐶𝐴,𝐿 = 𝑥𝐴 ∙ 𝐶
𝐶
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑐 𝑥𝐴,𝑖 𝐶 − 𝑥𝐴 𝐶

𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑐 𝐶 𝑥𝐴,𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴

𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑥 𝑥𝐴,𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴
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Momentum, energy, and mass transfer analogies

Analogy Expression Notes
momentum and heat transfer
kc f occur by analogous
Reynolds = mechanisms, can be extended to
v 2
include mass transfer.

The flow is divided into three

kc f 2 regions. One is near the wall,
=
von Kármán v   5Sc+ 1   where flow is laminar and
1 + 5 f 2 Sc + ln   − 1 transport occurs by molecular
  6   mechanism, a buffer zone, and a
turbulent region.

kc 2 3 h f
Sc = Pr 2 3 = The best correlation between
v  vC p 2 mass, heat and momentum
Chilton-Colburn jD jH transfer, from experimental data.
0.6 < Sc < 2500, and 0.6 < Pr <
f
jD = jH  100
2
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Interface
In the previous chapters we have discussed the transfer of mass within a single phase. Many mass-
transfer operations, however, involve the transfer of material between two contacting phases. These
phases may be a gas stream contacting a liquid, two liquids streams if they are immiscible, or a fluid
flowing past a solid.

Equilibrium – Transport of mass by either molecular or

convective transport mechanism depends upon the
concentration gradient of the diffusing species. Transfer
between two phases requires a departure from equilibrium
of the average or bulk concentration within each phase.

Raoult’s law (liquid phase is ideal) Henry’s law (dilute solutions) Distribution law (immiscible liquids)
p A = x A p Av p A = Hc A c A,1 = Kc A,2
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Two-resistance theory
Interface mass transfer involves three steps:

1. Transfer from the bulk of one phase to

the interfacial surface,
2. Transfer across the interface into the
second phase, and
3. Transfer to the bulk of the second phase.

Initially suggested by Lewis and Whitman

(1924) has two principal assumptions:

1. The rate of mass transfer is controlled by the

rates of diffusion through two stagnant films
on each side of the interface.
𝑁𝐴
2. No resistance is offered to the transfer of the
diffusing component across the interface. 𝑃𝐴 𝐶𝐴,𝐿
𝑦𝐴 𝑘𝐺 𝑃𝐴,𝑖 ; 𝐶𝐴,𝐿𝑖 𝑘𝐿 𝑥𝐴
𝑦𝐴,𝑖 ; 𝑥𝐴,𝑖
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𝑁𝐴
𝑃𝐴 𝐶𝐴,𝐿
𝑦𝐴 𝑘𝐺 𝑘𝐿 𝑥𝐴

Global resistance
Global resistance coefficients
𝐼𝐾𝐺 ; 𝐼𝐾𝐿

𝑁𝐴 = 𝐼𝐾𝐺 ∆𝐶𝐴 𝑁𝐴 = 𝐼𝐾𝐿 ∆𝐶𝐴

𝑁𝐴 = 𝐼𝐾𝐺 𝑃𝐴 − 𝐶𝐴,𝐿 𝑁𝐴 = 𝐼𝐾𝐿 𝑃𝐴 − 𝐶𝐴,𝐿

Henry’s law Henry’s law 𝑃𝐴

∗
𝑃𝐴∗ = 𝐻𝐶𝐴,𝐿 𝐶 =
(dilute solutions) 𝐴,𝐿 𝐻
(dilute solutions)

∗
𝑁𝐴 = 𝐼𝐾𝐺 𝑃𝐴 − 𝑃𝐴∗ 𝑁𝐴 = 𝐼𝐾𝐿 𝐶𝐴,𝐿 − 𝐶𝐴,𝐿
 Zulamita Zapata B., UPB

Mass transfer coefficients

Individual mass-transfer coefficients

N A = k y ( y A − y A,i ) 1 k x y A − y A,i 𝐹𝑢𝑒𝑟𝑧𝑎 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑎 𝑓𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑔𝑎𝑠

− = =
k y x A − x A,i 𝐹𝑢𝑒𝑟𝑧𝑎 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑎 𝑓𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑙í𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑𝑎
N A = k x ( x A,i − x A ) 2

𝑦𝐴𝑖 , 𝑥𝐴𝑖
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Overall mass-transfer coefficients 𝑃𝐴

𝑃𝐴∗ = 𝐻𝐶𝐴,𝐿 ; 𝐶𝐴,𝐿
∗
=
𝐻
(
N A = K y y A − y *A ) Dilute solutions
𝑃𝐴,𝑖
𝑃𝐴,𝑖 = 𝐻𝐶𝐴,𝐿𝑖 ; 𝐶𝐴,𝐿𝑖 =
(
N A = K x x*A − x A ) 𝐻

1 𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝐴∗ 𝐻𝐶
𝑦𝐴,𝑖 𝑃 = 𝐻𝑥𝐴,𝑖 𝐶 𝑦𝐴,𝑖 = 𝑥
= 𝑃 𝐴,𝑖
𝐼𝐾𝑦 𝑁𝐴 𝑚′
𝐻𝐶
𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝐴∗ 𝑦𝐴∗ = 𝑥
1 𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝐴∗ + 𝑦𝐴,𝑖 − 𝑦𝐴,𝑖 𝑃 𝐴
= =
𝐼𝐾𝑦 𝑁𝐴 𝑁𝐴 𝐻𝐶
1 𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝐴,𝑖 𝑥𝐴,𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴
= + 𝑃
1 𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝐴,𝑖 + 𝑦𝐴,𝑖 − 𝑦𝐴∗ 𝐼𝐾𝑦 𝑁𝐴 𝑁𝐴
=
𝐼𝐾𝑦 𝑁𝐴
1 𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝐴,𝑖 𝑚′ 𝑥𝐴,𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴
= +
1 𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝐴,𝑖 𝑦𝐴,𝑖 − 𝑦𝐴∗ 𝐼𝐾𝑦 𝑁𝐴 𝑁𝐴
= +
𝐼𝐾𝑦 𝑁𝐴 𝑁𝐴
𝑘𝑦 𝑘𝑥
𝐻𝐶 𝐻𝐶
𝑥 −
1 𝑦𝐴 − 𝑦𝐴,𝑖 𝑃 𝐴,𝑖 𝑃 𝑥𝐴 1 1 𝑚′
= + = +
𝐼𝐾𝑦 𝑁𝐴 𝑁𝐴 𝐼𝐾𝑦 𝑘𝑦 𝑘𝑥
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Overall mass-transfer coefficients

1 1 𝑚′
= +
𝐼𝐾𝑦 𝑘𝑦 𝑘𝑥

Total Gas film Liquid film

resistance resistance resistance

1 1 1 𝑦𝐴𝑖 , 𝑥𝐴𝑖
= ′′ +
𝐼𝐾𝑥 𝑚 𝑘𝑦 𝑘𝑥

Total Gas film Liquid film

resistance resistance resistance
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Example
In an experimental study of the absorption of NH3
by water in a wetted-wall column, the value of KG
was found to be 2.7810-4 kmol/(m2satm). At one
point in the column, the gas contained 8 mol% NH3
and the liquid phase concentration was 0.14 mol/m3
of solution. The temperature was 20ºC, and the total
pressure was 1 atm. 85% of the total resistance to
the mass transfer was found to be in the gas phase. If
Henry’s constant is 0.004 atm/(mol NH3/m3 of
solution), calculate the interfacial film coefficient
and the interfacial compositions.
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Example
Consider the waste treatment operation proposed in the figure below. In this process, wastewater containing a TCE
concentration of 50 gmol/m3 enters a clarifier, which is essentially a shallow, well-mixed tank with an exposed liquid
surface. The overall diameter is 20 m and the maximum depth of the liquid in the tank is 4 m. The clarifier is
enclosed to contain the gases (often quite odorous) that are emitted from the wastewater. Fresh air is blown into this
enclosure to sweep away the gases emitted from the clarifier and is then sent to an incinerator. The TCE content in
the effluent gas is 4.0 mol%, whereas the TCE content in the effluent liquid phase is 10 gmol TCE/m3 liquid. The
clarifier operates at 1.0 atm and a constant temperature of 20ºC.

In independent pilot plant studies for TCE, the liquid film mass transfer coefficient for the clarifier was, kx = 200
gmol/m2s, whereas the gas film mass transfer coefficient for the clarifier was ky = 0.1 gmol/m2s. Equilibrium data
for the air–TCE–water system at 20ºC are represented by Henry’s law in the form pA = HxA with H = 550 atm. The
molar density of the effluent liquid is 66 gmol/m3.

a. What is the overall mass-transfer coefficient based on the liquid phase, KL?
b. What is the flux of TCE from the clarifier liquid surface?
c. What is the inlet volumetric flow rate of wastewater, in units of m3/h, needed to ensure that the liquid effluent TCE
concentration is 10 gmol TCE/m3?
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