Abstract

This experiment was conducted to determine the diffusivity of vapor acetone and the effect of temperature on the diffusivity. This experiment also conducted based on the mass transfer theory. The instrument that has been used during conducting this experiment is the Gas Dispersion Apparatus that consist of an acrylic assembly which is sub divided into two compartments. The experiment is run by using three difference temperatures in order to study the effect of the temperature on the diffusivity of vapor acetone. The temperature that has been used are at temperature 30C, 40C and 50C with diffusivity that has been obtained are 3.943x10-4 m2/s, 6.740x10-3 m2/s and 4.7165x10-4 m2/s, respectively. Throughout the experiment, the diffusivity of acetone is higher when at temperature higher. This proven by the theory which is the temperature affects the diffusion rate.

Introduction

Gas dispersion apparatus involves diffusion with bulk flow is one of the items of laboratory equipment that have been designed to allow measurement of molecular diffusivities and also to make the students become more familiar with the basic notions of mass transfer theory. This apparatus is a bench mounted apparatus for the determination of diffusion coefficients of a vapor in air, which uses the method of measuring the rate of evaporation of the liquid through a stagnant layer into a flowing air stream, comprising a precision bore capillary tube, which may be filled from a syringe and the top of which means are provided to pass air stream to remove vapor. The apparatus also comprise an air pump, a travelling microscope with accurate focus adjustment and mounted for vertical axis movement against a vernier scale and a thermostatically controlled water bath, in which to place the capillary tube, capable of accurate temperature control.

Figure 1: Gas Dispersion Apparatus

Diffusion coefficients of binary mixtures of gases are comprehensively compiled, critically evaluated, and correlated by new semi empirical expressions. There are seventy four systems for which the data are sufficiently extensive, consistent and accurate to allow diffusion coefficients to be recommended with confidence. The coefficient of diffusion is the product of mean velocity and mean free path, with a prefactor that can be temperature dependent. The mean velocity depends only on temperature; the mean free path is inversely proportional to the density of the gas. Thus, a thinner atmosphere has a higher diffusivity. The diffusivity of an unconfined gas at rest, in which molecules diffuse through an interstitial gas, forms the basis for understanding the diffusivity of a porous regolith.

Quantifying mass transfer allows for design and manufacture of separations process equipment that can meet specified requirements, estimate what will happen in real life situations. Mass transfer coefficients can be estimated from many different theoretical equation, correlations and analysis that are functions of material properties, intensive properties and flow regime. Selection of the most applicable model is dependent on the materials and the system, or environment being studied.

Theory

The diffusion of vapour A from a volatile liquid into another gas B can be conveniently studied by confining a small sample of the liquid in a narrow vertical tube and observing its rate of evaporation into a stream of gas B passed across the top of the tube. This experiment is based on the Winkelmanns method where the volatile liquid is allowed to evaporate in vertical glass tube over the top of which a stream of vapour-free gas is passed. For maintaining a steady temperature, a water bath is provided so that there is no eddy current in the vertical tube and mass transfer takes place from the surface by molecular diffusion alone.

There is a tendency for each constituent to flow in such a direction as to reduce the concentration gradient when a concentration gradient exists within a fluid consisting of two or more components. This is known as mass transfer where takes place in either a gas phase or a liquid phase or in both simultaneously.

Mass transfer takes place from the surface by molecular diffusion alone when a liquid is allowed to evaporate in a narrow vertical tube and a steady temperature is maintained. To determine the diffusivity of the vapour of a volatile liquid, technique developed by Winkelmann is used. Calculating the diffusivity can be made after examination the evaporation rate which is the rate of the fall of liquid surface and with the knowledge of concentration gradient.

The rate of mass transfer is given by: NA = ( )( ) (1)

Where, D = Diffusivity (m2/s)

CA = Saturation concentration at interface (kmol/m3) L = Effective distance of mass transfer (m)

CT = Total molar concentration (kmol/m3) CBm = Logarithmic mean value of CB (kmol/m3)

Considering the evaporation of the liquid: NA = ( ) (2)

Where,
L

= Density of liquid (kg/m3)

M = Molecular weight (kg/kmol)

Combining equations 1 and 2 we get, ( ) ( )( ) (3)

Integrating and putting L =LO at t=0 L2 L20 = ( )( )t (4)

Values of LO or L will not be measured accurately but accurate values of (L LO) are available.

Thus, rearranging equation 4: (L LO)(L LO + 2LO) = ( or, ( )( )( ) ( ) (5) )( )

A plot of t/(L LO) against (L LO) will give a slope s: ( )( ) (6)

Diffusivity D can then be calculated from equation 6:

If s is the slope of the plot

against (L-L0): ( )

Where, ( ( ) )( ) ( )

Objective

The objectives of this experiment:1. Construct graph between lengths versus time to calculate the diffusivity, D. 2. Determine the gas diffusion coefficient of acetone using the established Winklemanns method. 3. Determine the effect of differences of temperatures on the diffusivity, D.

Apparatus

Apparatus Gas dispersion apparatus Water bath Syringe Capillary tube

Chemical Acetone

Procedure

Diffusion Coefficient Mass Transfer 1. Switched on the machine. 2. The temperature was set up to 30C and the steady temperature was obtained. 3. The capillary tube was filled with acetone to a height of approximately 35mm using a syringe. 4. The vertical height of the microscope was adjusted until the capillary tube is visible. If the capillary tube is not visible, adjust the distance from the object lens to the tank until it is visible through the microscope. 5. The position of viewing lens in or out of the microscope body was adjusted as necessary for clearer and well defined view of the meniscus inside the capillary tube. 6. Note that when viewing the capillary tube the image will be upside down, so that the bottom of the tube is at the top of the image. 7. The sliding vernier scale should be aligned with a suitable graduation on the fixed scale when the meniscus has been determined. 8. The air pump and the water bath were switched on. 9. A temperature was set to temperature 30C and a steady temperature was obtained. 10. The level inside the capillary tube was recorded every 5 minutes until the 60th minutes. 11. The same experiment was repeated at a different temperature, 40C and 50C.

Results
At temperature 30 oC Time (min) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 Length (cm) 7.09 8.01 9.00 9.09 12.02 12.03 12.03 12.03 13.04 14.05 14.05 15.06 16.07 Liquid Fall (cm) 0 0.92 1.91 2.00 4.93 4.94 4.94 4.94 5.95 6.96 6.96 7.97 8.98 t/(L-L0) 0 5.43 5.23 7.50 4.06 5.06 6.07 7.09 6.72 6.47 7.18 6.90 6.68

Graph time versus length for temperature 30C.

At temperature 40 oC Time (min) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 Level of Acetone (cm) 8.00 8.00 9.07 10.08 11.10 12.04 13.05 14.06 15.07 16.08 17.09 18.10 19.01 Liquid Fall (cm) 0 0 1.07 2.08 3.10 4.04 5.05 6.06 7.07 16.08 9.09 10.01 11.01 t/(L-L0) 0 0 9.35 7.21 6.45 6.19 5.94 5.78 5.66 2.80 5.50 5.49 5.45

Graph time versus length at temperature 40C

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At temperature 50 oC Time (min) 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 Length (cm) 8.02 10.03 12.05 14.07 16.09 16.10 17.01 17.09 18.01 18.09 18.09 19.01 19.10 Liquid Fall (cm) 0 2.01 4.03 6.05 8.07 8.08 8.99 9.07 9.99 10.07 10.07 10.99 11.08 t/(L-L0) 0 2.49 2.48 2.48 2.48 3.09 3.34 3.86 4.00 4.47 4.97 5.00 5.42

Graph time versus length at temperature 50C

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Sample Calculation

i) Liquid Fall (cm) at 30 0C = L - L0 a. = 8.01 7.09 b. = 0.92

ii) t/(L-L0) (min/cm) at 30 0C = 5 / 0.92 a. = 5.43

iii) Diffusivity,

a. CBM = CB1 CB2 ln CB1/CB2

Where, L= 760.0 kg/m3 M = 58.08 kg/kmol Partial pressure = 0.8062 atm ~ 81.688 kPa Capillary tube = 15 mm Tabs = 273.15 K Ta = 303.15 K (30oC), 313 K (40OC), 323.15 K (50OC) kmol volume = 22.41 m3

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Diffusion for 30 0C i) CT = (1/V) x (Tabs/Ta) = (1/22.41) x (273.15/303.15) = 0.0402 kmol/m3 Where CB1 = CT

ii) CA = (PV/Pa) x CT = (81.688/101.325) x (0.0402) = 0.0324 kmol/m3

iii) CB2 = (PA - PV/Pa) x CT = (101.325 - 81.688/101.325) x (0.0402) = 7.79 x 10-7 kmol/m3

iv) CBM = CB1 CB2 ln CB1/CB2 = 0.0402 7.79 x 10-7 ln (0.0402 7.79 x 10-7) = 0.0197 kmol/m3

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iv) Diffusion with S = 0.4177 min/cm2 D = (760.0 kg/m3)( 0.0197 kmol/m3) 2(0.4177 s/cm2) (58.08 kg/kmol)(0.0324 kmol/m3)(0.0402 kmol/m3) = 236.91 cm3/min x 1min/60s x 1m3/(100)3 cm3 = 3.948 x 10-4 m2/s

Diffusion at 40 oC S = 0.0253 min/cm2 CT = CB1 = 0.0389 kmol/m3 CB2 = 7.539 x 10-3 kmol/m3 CBM = 0.0191 D = 6.740 x 10-3 m2/s

Diffusion at 50 oC S = 0.3732 min/cm2 CT = CB1 = 0.0877 kmol/m3 CB2 = 7.306 x 10-3 kmol/m3 CBM = 0.0185 D = 4.7165 x 10-4

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Discussion

The significant on doing this experiment are to determine the diffusivity of the acetone and also to learn the effect of temperature differences on the diffusivity. This is based on the mass transfer theory of molecular diffusion in gases form. As a result, the diffusion coefficient is defined as the tendency of molecules to diffuse through a given area in unit of time.

In order to achieve this experiment, gas dispersion instrument is used to collect the data. In term of calculation Winklemanns method are being used to calculate the diffusivity. Capillary tube and vernier scale are used to measure and to read the level of meniscus of acetone inside the capillary tube. Acetone is type of volatile liquid which means it easy to evaporate .The diffusion of the acetone vapor into another gas can be conveniently studied by observing the rate of evaporation. In term of temperature, three different temperatures that are used are 30, 40 and 50oC. Below are the results of the graph plotted.

Figure 2: Graph at Temperature 30C

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The graph show inconsistence point which resulting the pattern to be uniforms. The highest peak is at the (2, 7.5). The graph also show an increment at the same x-point which at point 5 until 8. This graph are not too linearize thus the slope that get by the trend line is 0.4177. By the calculation the diffusivity found to be 3.948x10-4 m2/s.

Figure 3: Graph at Temperature 40C

Initially the graph show sudden increase from point 1 until point 2. As the time increase the graph show as decreasing uniformly from point 3 until point 8. But at point 9 it shows sudden degradation. As result the slope are 0.0253 min/cm and it found that the diffusion coefficient is 6.740x10-9 m2/s.

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Figure 4: Graph at Temperature 50C

At 50oC the graph showed an unruffled point. It has uniform increments and also uniform decrement. The highest point at (L-Lo) of 11.08 and t/(L-Lo) 5.42. This graph is much linearizes compare to other graph due the value of R2. The slope of this graph was 0.3732 and the diffusion that being calculate was 4.7165x10-4 m2/s.

This experiment stopped at 50oC due to the boiling point of Acetone was 56.5oC. As the temperature exceed the acetone boiling point the diffusivity shall not be feasible. This due to the characteristic of acetone that are kind of volatile liquid. Therefore the temperatures that are used in this experiment should not surpass the acetone boiling point. If that happen, the rate of volatility of acetone shall increase thus it hard to read the meniscus level as it keep volatile.

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From the calculation that are done, it indicate that the diffusivity value are affected by the temperature. It been said that the higher the temperature the diffusivity coefficient of acetone also increases. Diffusion is kind of transport phenomena that occur in nature. In this experiment the diffusion are related to Ficks law. It can be define as the movement of molecules from concentration place to lower concentration place. The effect in increasing the temperature shall speed up the diffusion. Kinetic energy also increases thus the molecular movement occur.

When conducting this experiment, some error should be possible occur. Parallax error2 is error of eye while taking the reading of the meniscus level of acetone at given time. This error should be preventing as is give greater change to our graph. In order to secure, the eyes level while reading the scale should be parallel to get better view and better sight. The apparatus such as capillary tube and syringe should be in clean condition and be wash with diluted water. The temperature should be in constant during the experiment as it can change the data if it in unsteady point.

Conclusion

As a conclusion this experiment are achieve all the objective require that are to determine the diffusivity of the vapor of the acetone and also to study the effect of temperature on the diffusivity. Gas Dispersion apparatus and also the Winklemanns methods are being used in this experiment for gathering the data and also data calculation. At 30oC the diffusivity of acetone are 3.948x10-4 m2/s, 6.740x10-9 m2/s for 40oC and 4.7165x10-4 m2/s for 50oC. From the graph that being plotted, the increasing in the diffusion coefficient and also the increasing of mass transfer are result in affecting of the flowing air. On the other hand, temperatures also affect the diffusivity of the acetone. As the temperature increases, the diffusivity also increases. This happens as result of the kinetic energy between the molecules that vibrating. Thus the, molecules speed are increasing rapidly and the spreading of substances molecules are happening during this state.
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Recommendation

To increase the accuracy of the result, some recommendations that should be considered while conducting the experiments are: 1. The boiling point of acetone is 56.5 0C, thus this experiment should not exceed temperature greater than 50oC. If needed then the substances should be change to substance than have boiling point greater that required temperature. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. The flow rate of flowing air must be constant throughout this experiment. Clean up the apparatus before start the experiment. Changes the water bath when want to start a new set of temperature. The level of liquid acetone in the capillary tube must be immersed fully in the water bath. The level of meniscus must be correctly measured on the microscope and also on the vernier scale. 7. To gain precise data, this experiment should be done for at least twice.

Reference

CERa/CERb Mass Transfer and Diffusion Coefficients Issue 10, 20 November 2012 at http://www.discoverarmfield.co.uk/data/cer/?js=enabled http://courses.nus.edu.sg/course/chewch/CN2125E/lectures/ExpM1.pdf Bird, R. B., Stewart, W. E., Lightfoot, E. N., Transport Phenomena, John Wiley and Sons, New York, NY (1960). How does temperature affect the rate of diffusion?, 21 November 2012, at http://www.studyzones.com/questionzone/answer/73267x1565/How-does-temperatureaffect-the-rate-of-diffusion Does temperature effect diffusion rate, 1 October 2010,

athttp://www.reference.com/motif/Science/does-temperature-effect-diffusion-rate

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Appendices

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