INDIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, KANPUR

CHE 391A: Unit Operation Laboratory-I

Lab Report of Experiment:9

Vapor in Air Diffusion

Submitted by: Group F8

Sl No. Name Roll

1 Aditya Kushwaha 200051

2 Ayush Raj 200253

3 Sushmita 201027

Under the Guidance of

Prof.Anurag Tripathi &
Prof. Harshvardhan H Katkar
TITLE: Vapor in Air Diffusion
OBJECTIVE: Study of the effect of temperature on the diffusion coefficient.
AIM: To determine the diffusion coefficient of an organic vapor (i.e., CCl4) in air.
INTRODUCTION:
Diffusion is concerned with the movement of individual molecules through a substance by virtue of their
thermal energy. The phenomenon of molecular diffusion ultimately leads to a completely uniform
concentration of substances throughout a solution which may initially have been non uniform. So, this
equipment is very helpful in determining the diffusion coefficient of an organic vapour. We can also study the
effect of temperature on diffusion coefficient.
THEORY:
When two gases are constantly being exchanged and fresh gas is being supplied while the products of diffusion
are being removed, the diffusion reaches a state of balance where the concentration gradients remain constant.
This is referred to as steady state diffusion. In this state, the rates of diffusion for each gas, A and B, are equal
but in opposite directions. Additionally, according to Dalton's law, the overall concentration of the two
components, A(CA), B (CB) remains constant.

Then using the integrated form of the Fick Diffusion equation with appropriate

Where PA1 and PA2 are the partial pressures of gas A at the boundaries of the zone of diffusion and x is the distance over
which diffusion occurs. In case where gas A is diffusing through stagnant gas B (non-diffusing), the flow carries both
components in proportions to their partial pressure.

The total transfer of A is the sum of this proportion of the flow and the transfer by diffusion.

This is the expression used for the experimental determination of vapour diffusion coefficients in gases by evaporation
from a liquid surface in a narrow bore tube and measuring the fall of level of this surface.
The distance of the liquid surface below the open end of the tube is measured before and after evaporation over a definite
period. If the variation in level is small, then arithmetic mean of these two readings is taken as the value of x. In case
there is appreciable change of level, the value of x is determined by integration between the initial and final readings of
level. The rate of evaporation is thus given by:
Usually, xo will not be measured accurately nor is the effective distance for diffusion, x, at time Ɵ. Accurate values of
(x - xo) are available, however, and hence: Rewriting Eq.2 as:

Then,

Evaluation of Vapor Pressure of CCl4

So, Relation between temperature & Vapor pressure from this curve (Obtained from Perry’s handbook)
Effect of temperature and pressure on co-efficient of diffusion, D is expressed as:
D = const. T1.5 / P --------------------- (6)
D can be determined by drawing a curve of DP Vs. T.

DESCRIPTION:
The T tube, made of glass and placed in a water bath held at a constant temperature, is used to measure the diffusion
of volatile components. The temperature of the bath is regulated by a DTC and air is supplied to the T tube by an air
pump. The level changes in the volatile component in the T tube can be observed through a sliding microscope. The
inner diameter of the T tube is 11 mm.

UTILITIES REQUIRED:
1. Electricity Supply: Single Phase, 220 V AC, 50 Hz, 5-15 Amp. Socket with earth connection.
2. Floor Area Required: 1 m x 0.75 m
3. Required Chemicals & Laboratory Glassware.

APPARATUS:

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:
1. Clean the apparatus and make it free from dust.
2. Fill 3/4th water bath with water.
3. Set the water bath temperature at the desired level (up to 65oC) and wait till the bath attains the set
temperature. Note the steady temperature of the bath.
4. Fill the T-tube with CCl4 up to within two centimetres of the top of capillary leg. Note down the initial
diffusion height of liquid in the capillary.
5. Make the connection with the Air or vacuum pump and allow a gentle current of air to flow over the
capillary.
6. Record the height of liquid (x) in the capillary after every 15 min.
7. Repeat the steps 1 through 5 for different water bath temperatures.

OBSERVATIONS
DATA:
P = 101.325 kN/m2
R = 8.314 kN-m/kmol K
ρl = 1590 kg/m3
MA = 154 kg/ k-mol
 Reading (X)
Vernie
Sl r scale Vapor
Tem Time Main match X= Po+ Press
.
p in Scale ed (q*0.001 Xo-X ure CB1=CT CA CB2 CBM S DAB
N
°C (min) (P) numbe ) (in cm) (VP) (mol/m3) (mol/m3) (mol/m3) (mol/m3) (sec/cm2) (cm2/s)
o.
(cm) r of (in cm) (kNm
2
divisio )
n (q)
0 4.10 15 4.115
1 15 4.10 4 4.104 0.011 34.6 -4.7
45 38.32 13.11 25.21 31.31 -678627
. 30 4.05 45 4.095 0.020 6 *10-4
45 4.05 23 4.073 0.042
0 4.15 20 4.170
2 15 4.10 36 4.136 0.034 51.1 3.87
55 37.15 18.75 18.40 26.69 510876
. 30 4.10 15 4.115 0.055 4 *10-4
45 4-10 7 4.107 0.063
0 4.20 1 4.201
15 4.15 31 4.181 0.020 71.4 -3.4
3 65
2
36.06 25.42 10.64 20.83 -343032
*10-4
30 4.15 23 4.173 0.028
45 4.1 11 4.111 0.090
CALCULATIONS:
All the calculations with proper units had been done and mentioned in the table. The formulae used for
determining these quantities are mentioned below:
Slope of the plot of θ/(xo -x) vs (xo -x) will give S(from graph)
VP = 0.019*T2 - 0.2519*T + 7.5239 kNm2 (Calculated in Table corresponding to given Temperature Value)

CB1=CT

NOMENCLATURE:
CA= Molar concentrations of A, mole/ m3
CB = Molar concentrations of B, mole/ m3
CT = Total molar concentration, mole/ m3
CBM = Log mean concentration of CCl4, mole/m3
DAB= Diffusion coefficient, cm2/s
MA = Molecular weight of CCl4 (component A), kg/k mol
P = Total Pressure, k N/m2
R = Gas Law Constant, kN-m/kmol-K
T = Operating temp, (K)
VP = Vapour pressure of the evaporating liquid, kN/ m2
x = Final height from top end of the tube after time θ, cm
xo = Initial height from top end of the tube, cm
xo–x = Drop in liquid (CCl4) level in time θ, cm
θ = Time of evaporation, sec
ρl = Density of CCl4, (kg/m3)
S = slope of graph (sec/cm)
ERROR ANALYSIS:

• Δρ/ρ = 0
• ΔMA/MA = 0
• ΔS/S = 0

• ΔDAB/D = Δρ/ρ + ΔCBM/CBM +ΔMA/MA + ΔCA/CA + ΔCT/CT + ΔS/S

• ΔCT/CT = ∆T/T
• ΔCA/CA =∆T/T + ∆Po/Po

Human Error: Error may be caused in taking the reading of the Vernier calliper because of Human eye.
CONCLUSIONS:
• The two-diffusion coefficient calculated at 45oC and 65oC are negative which not physically
possible. It may be because of some error in taking the data
• Due to error in the data taken we could not be able to plot the relation of Diffusion coefficient with
Temperature which should be vary as T1.5.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS:
• Diffusivity of CCl4 in air is calculated to be -4.7*10-4 cm2/s at 45oC, 3.87*10-4cm2/s at 55oC and
-3.4*10-4cm2/s at 65oC
PRECAUTIONS:
• Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) should be colourless.
• Don’t switch on the heater before filling the water in the bath.
• Microscope focus should be clear if not adjust that.

TROUBLESHOOTING:
• If the temperature is not increasing after switching on the heater, check the connection of Heater in
the panel.
• If the meniscus is not clear, adjust the focus of the lens.
• If the movement of the microscope is not smooth, put some lubricating oil on it.

REFERENCES:
• McCabe, Smith, “Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering”, 7th ed, McGraw-Hill, NY, 2005, Page
528, 531-532.
• Binay K.Dutta, “Principles of Mass Transfer and Separation Processes”, Prentice Hall of India Pvt
Ltd., ND, 2007, Page 11-15.