CHE-241

Mass Transfer
(Lecture-1)

Instructor: Dr. Ayesha Raza​

School of Chemical and Materials Engineering (SCME)​
National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Pakistan
 Learning Outcomes

Course Leaning Outcomes

CLO-1 Comprehend the basic concepts and theories of mass transfer to apply for separation C-3
related problems
CLO-2 Extend the knowledge of separation principles for design calculation related to gas-liquid C-4
absorption
CLO-3 Solve and analyze complex engineering problems pertaining to mass transfer coefficient C-4

Program Learning Outcomes:

PLO-1 Engineering Knowledge
PLO-2 Problem Analysis
PLO-3 Investigation
 Introduction to Mass Transfer

Mass transfer refers to the tendency of a molecule in a mixture

to move from a region of high concentration to a region of low
concentration.

• Many types of process equipment involve mass transfer – Chemical

Reactors, Distillation Columns, Gas Absorbers, Dryers, Cooling
Towers, and so on
• The amount of mass transfer rate can be quantified through the
calculation and application of mass transfer coefficients.
• Driving force: Concentration gradient
 Introduction to Mass Transfer
Example 1: Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4) crystal is dropped into a beaker
of water the surface of the KMnO4 crystal will begin to dissolve. The water very
near the crystal will have a high concentration of KMnO4 dissolved in it and so will
be a very dark purple color. Further away from the crystal, the solution concentration
will be much lower and hence be a much paler purple. Diffusion of the KMnO4 molecules
is from the high concentration solution (deep purple color) to the low concentration
solution (pale purple color)
 Introduction to Mass Transfer
Example 2: If an open test-tube containing water is left in a dry atmosphere at a constant
temperature, then the water vapour molecules will diffuse through the column of air in
the test-tube to the surrounding environment.
The concentration gradient is from the high concentration of water molecules above
the water surface to the very low concentration at the outlet of the test-tube.
 Introduction to Mass Transfer
Molecular diffusion:
• Random movement of particles from the region of higher to lower concentration
• Fluid is stagnant/Laminar flow
• Very slow due to the highly random movement of molecules
• Reducing the pressure and increasing the temperature can increase the rate of diffusion.

Eddy diffusion:
• Diffusion occurs due to forced or natural convection
• Bulk mixing by mechanical stirring
 Introduction to Mass Transfer

Convection is divided into two types:

Forced convection
In this type the fluid moves under the influence of an external force
(pressure difference) as in the case of transfer of liquids by pumps and
gases by compressors.

Natural convection
Natural convection currents develop if there is any variation in density
within the fluid phase. The density variation may be due to temperature
differences or to relatively large concentration differences
 Convective Mass Transfer
Total Diffusion = Molecular Diffusion + Convective term

Fick’s law Newton’s law

 Fick's Law
Fick's Law first proposed by FlCK(I) in 1855 which expresses the mass transfer rate
as a linear function of the molar concentration gradient.
Molecular Flux is directly proportional to the gradient of driving force
Molecular flux = transport property x gradient of driving force
Fick's Law states that the rate of diffusion of component A in a mixture
of A and B is proportional to its concentration gradient.

NOTE: The negative sign emphasizes that diffusion occurs in the direction of a drop in
 Fick's Law

Concentration
difference/length

Molecular Flux is directly proportional to the gradient of driving force

Moles/area.time

Transport property: diffusivity

 Fick's Law
Diffusivity:

General range of values of diffusivity:

Gases : 5 x------------- 1 x / sec.
Liquids : ------------- / sec.
Solids : 5 X ----------1 x / sec.
The total diffusion equation can be written in another forms:
a. Partial pressure for gases.

b. Mole fraction for gases and liquids.

 Examples: Diffusion

A gaseous hydrogen is stored at elevated pressure in a rectangular container having

steel walls 10 mm thick. The molar concentration of hydrogen in the steel at the
inner surface is 1 kmol , while the concentration of the hydrogen at the steel at
the outer surface is negligible. The binary diffusion coefficient for hydrogen in
steel is 0.26x. What is the average molar diffusion flux for the hydrogen through
steel?

Answer: 2.6 x kmol/s