Pandit Deendayal Energy University

Solid in air diffusion

Aim of experiment:
To calculate the mass transfer coefficient for vaporization of naphthalene in air using a packed
bed of spherical particles of naphthalene.

Theory
Mass transfer coefficient is an engineering parameter defined as the amount of mole of A
diffused per unit time (NA) when driving force of mass transfer unity mathematically it can be
expressed as
NA = KC (∆C), where ∆C is concentration difference
NA = Kp (∆P), where ∆P is pressure difference
NA = Kx (∆X), where ∆X is composition difference
SI unit of KC, KP AND KX are m/s, mol.m2.pas.sec and mol/m2 respectively.
The diffusivity of solid in air is lower than liquid and gas diffusivity in air. Mass transfer in solid
is quite important in chemical and biological processing. Some examples are leaching of foods
such as soybean and metal ores, drying of timber, salts and foods: diffusion and catalytic reaction
in solid catalysts: separation of fluid by membrane: diffusion of gases through polymer films
used in packing and treating of metal t high temperature at gases.
Figure shows diffusion of naphthalene balls (A) diffusing through non- diffusing air (B) at
ambient temperature, with mass transfer coefficient KP. XA is molar fraction of naphthalene in
air. At inlet XA=0 and tat outlet XA =X

XA = X
2

1
XA=0

Q {LPM}
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Where Re is Reynolds number, Dp is diameter of the particle (naphthalene), V is velocity of air,

𝜌 is the density of the air and 𝜇 is viscosity of the air.
𝜇
𝑠𝑐 = … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . . (𝐵)
𝜌 𝐷𝐴𝐵
Where Sc is the Schmidt number and DAB diffusivity coefficient

𝑆ℎ = 1.17𝑅𝑒 0.585 𝑆𝑐1/3 … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … . (𝐶)

Where Sh is Sherwood number
𝐾𝑐
𝑆ℎ ∗ 𝐷𝐴𝐵
= … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … (𝐷)
𝐷𝑝
Kc is mass transfer coefficient

Experimental set up:

The equipment is fitted with the vertical glass column with the mesh near the base of column to
hold the spherical balls. Spherical ball of known diameter are filled in the column to make a packed
bed. Air is allowed to pass through the silica gel member. From the bottom of the column dry air
is allowed to enter in the packed bed. Rotameter is provided to measure the flow of the air.

Utilities required:
Spherical Naphthalene balls, compressed air at 2bar, weighing balance 0.01 resolution.

Experimental procedure:
Pack the glass tube with the known number and known diameter of naphthalene balls up to a height
of about 15cm.
Record the average diameter and initial weight of the naphthalene balls.
Connect the air line form the compressor to the valve at the base of the column.
Note the ambient temperature.
Open the valve and set the flow rate of air.
Record the flow rate of air.
Run the experiment for a fixed time period.
Record the final weight and hence determine the weight loss of the naphthalene balls.
Repeat the experiment for different flow rate of air.
When the experiment is over remove the balls from set up.
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Remove the connection of compressed air supply.

Observation and calculation:

Atmospheric pressure P= 101*105 Pa
𝜇
At 20ºC Kinematic viscosity of air ( 𝜌) = 1.5x10-5 m2/sec

Diameter of the column D = 0.050 m

At 20ºC Diffusivity coefficient DAB = 5.8x10-6m2/sec
At 20ºC vapor pressure of solid naphthalene = 0.07 bar
Molecular weight of Naphthalene MA = 128.17g/mol
At 20ºC density of air 𝜌air =1.2Kg/m3
Diameter of the particle Dp(m) = (m)

Observation table (Method 1)

SI NO Flow rate Time “t” Initial Final Weight loss
“Q” (LPM) (min) weight weight “W”
(gm) (gm)

2.7 Calculation
4𝑊
𝑁𝐴 =
𝑀𝐴 𝜋𝐷2 𝑡 ∗ 60
𝑀𝑎𝑖𝑟 𝑊 ∗ 1000
𝑋=( )( )
𝑀𝐴 𝑄𝑡𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟

𝑃𝐴 = 𝑋𝑃
ln{(𝑃𝐴𝑆 )1/(𝑃𝐴𝑆 − 𝑋𝑃)2}
𝐾𝑃 = 𝑁𝐴 [ ]
(𝑃𝐴𝑆 )1 − (𝑃𝐴𝑆 − 𝑋𝑃)2
2.8 Results: (method 1)
Mass transfer coefficient 𝐾𝑃 at different flow rate are tabulated below and graph shows the nature
of 𝐾𝑃 at different flow rate.
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S. NO Flow rate Molar flux Molar Partial Mass transfer

(LPM) 𝑁𝐴 fraction of pressure of coefficient
naphthalene naphthalene 𝐾𝑃 (mole/m2.sec)
“X” 𝑃𝐴 (𝑝𝑎𝑠)

Alternative calculation for mass transfer coefficient

𝜋 2 2
𝐴= 𝐷 (𝑚 )
4
𝑄 𝑚
𝑉= ( )
𝐴𝐶 ∗ 1000 ∗ 60 𝑠
𝐷𝑃 𝑉𝜌
𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇
𝜇
𝑆𝐶 =
𝜌𝐷𝐴𝐵
𝑆ℎ = 1.17𝑅𝑒 0.585 𝑆𝑐1/3
𝑆ℎ𝑋𝐷𝐴𝐵
𝐾𝐶 =
𝐷𝑃
Result (Method 2)
SI NO Flow rate 𝑅𝑒 Sc Sh 𝐾𝐶

Compare the value of Kc and Kp obtained by two different methods.

Draw the graph between (Sh/Sc)1/3 vs Re on log – log graph

Conclusion
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Precaution
Air pressure should be constant
Silica gel should be constant
Don’t exceed the pressure above 1kg/Cm2