TUTORIAL 1

Answer Scheme
INTRODUCTION TO MASS TRANSFER AND DIFFUSION
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1. Derive the equation of equimolar counter diffusion of component A and B in binary
mixtures, show that diffusion flux of component A can be represented by:

D
J AB C C
A Z Ai
A
T in your derivation.
Define all symbols used
2. By apply ideal gas equation, derive the equation of equimolar counter diffusion of
component A & B in binary mixtures, show that Flux of component A can be represented
by:
D dp A
J A AB

RT dz
3. For a binary system
consisting of
component A & B, show that equation the Molar flux of
z2
PA 2
DAB
component JAA. when
component
B Anon-diffusing in term of mole fraction can be
z1 dz RT pA1dp
represented by:
DAB
p A1 p1A2 y
J A CD
A
N RTz AB ln

z
T

1 y

Ai

4. Consider a local concentration of 5 x 10 6 units per cm3 which drops by 10% over a
distance of 2 cm. Given diffusivity is 7.0 x 103 cm2/s. Calculate the diffusion flux, J.
5. The gas CO2 is diffusing at steady state through a tube 0.20 m long having a diameter of
0.01 m and containing N2 at 298 K. The total pressure is constant at 101.32 kPa. The
partial pressure of CO2 at one end is 456 mm Hg and 76 mm Hg at the other end. The
diffusivity id 1.67 x 10-5 m2/s at 298 K. Calculate the flux of CO 2 for equimolar counter
diffusion.
6. In a gas mixture of CO2 and hydrogen, steady state equimolar counter diffusion is
occurring at a total pressure of 100 kPa and temperature of 20C. If the partial
pressures of hydrogen at two planes 0.01 m apart, and perpendicular to the direction of
diffusion are 15 kPa and 5 kPa, respectively and the mass diffusion flux of hydrogen in
the mixture is 1.6 * 10 5 kmol/m 2.sec, calculate the molecular diffusivity for the system.
7. Ammonia gas (A) and nitrogen gas (B) are diffusing in counter diffusion through a
straight glass tube 2.0 ft long with an inside diameter of 0.080 ft at 298 K and 101.32
kPa. Both ends of the tube are connected to large mixed chambers at 101.32 kPa. The
partial pressure of NH3 in one chamber is constant at 20.0 kPa and 6.666 kPa in other
chamber. The diffusivity at 298 K and 101.32 kPa is 2.30 x 10-5 m2/s.
Sept 2013

(a) Calculate the diffusion flux of NH3.

(b) Calculate the diffusion flux of N2.
(c) Calculate the partial pressures of NH3 at a point 1.0 ft in the tube.
8. Ammonia gas is diffusing through nitrogen gas under steady state conditions with N 2
nondiffusing since it is insoluble in one boundary. The total pressure is 1.013 x 10 5 Pa
and the temperature is 298 K. The partial pressure of NH 3 at one point is 1.333 x 104 Pa
and at the other point 20 m away it is 6.666 x 10 3 Pa. The diffusivity for the mixture is
2.30 x 10-5 m2/s.
(a) Calculate the flux of NH3
(b) Calculate the flux of NH3 if assume that N2 is also diffuses.
8. Helium (He) and nitrogen (N2) gas are contained in a conduit 5 mm in diameter and 0.1 m long
at 298 K and a uniform constant pressure of 1.0 atm abs. The partial pressure of helium at
one end of tube is 0.060 atm and 0.020 atm at the other end. The diffusivity is 0.687 x 10 -4
m2/s at 298 K. Calculate the flux of helium in kg.mol/m2.s if nitrogen gas is stagnant.
9. A tube 1 cm in inside diameter that is 20 cm long is filled with Co 2 and H2 at a total
pressure of 2 atm at 0C. The diffusion coefficient of the Co 2 H2 system under these
conditions is 0.275 cm2/s. If the partial pressure of Co2 is 1.5 atm at one end of the tube
and 0.5 atm at the other end, find the rate of diffusion for steady state diffusing of CO 2
through stagnant H2.

Sept 2013