Introduction:

Mass diffusion is a natural transport phenomenon that occurs when there is a concentration gradient. The flow tends to travel from the area with a high concentration to the area with lower concentration. For a certain period of time dynamic equilibrium would be reached.

Fig,1 Schematic illustrates diffusion phenomenon Diffusivity is affected by many factors one like: 1. Temperature Temperature is a sensitive parameter in mass diffusion. The higher the temperature is, the higher the energy levels the molecules get. That energy causes the molecules to migrate fast thus reaching equilibrium faster. Temperature also plays a big role in increasing the free spaces between molecules which leads to higher mass transfer rate. 2. The size of particle. As the size increases, the need for more energy to cause it move increases. As oppose to smaller sized particles that wouldnt need that much energy to move in the equilibrium direction. Diffusion rate also depends on the state of matter that is being diffused. For example, solid particles would be harder to move (diffuse) than liquid particles. Furthermore, gases would be easier than both to diffuse. In our case, we are dealing with liquid diffusivity into liquid which is harder to diffuse than gases yet easier than solids. Finally, the nature of the matter also effects how fast diffusion occurs. Depending on the density of the matter, diffusion rates differ. Substances that contain a high density value would be slower to reach dynamic equilibrium than those with lower density values. The rate of diffusion is given by:

The reason why the diffusivity is negative is because the concentration is travelling from a high to low concentration. J = Diffusion flux across the x-direction

= concentration gradient in the x-direction ( )

D = Diffusivity Where

where,

V is the Volume of distilled water, (L) X is the Length of capillaries, (cm) D is the Diameter of capillaries, (cm) N is Capillaries number M is the Molarity, (mol/L) CM is Electrical conductivity change per unit molarity change, (-1M-1) Change of conductivity per unit time

The slope of conductivity and time can be used to obtain the diffusivity. The figure below illustrates the equipment used in the experiment. An indirect measure was used to know the diffusivity of the solute in the solvent. We will measure the conductivity and use that to determine the diffusivity. Conductivity is a measure of how much a certain solution is able to conduct electric current.

Applications
There arent many applications where liquid liquid diffusivity is used for. The reason being is that diffusion isnt seen as a tool. Yet its phenomenon that has to be dealt with because of the nature of chemistry. Dialysis: Dialysis is a process where waste products such as urea are removed from the blood. This process works as an artificial kidney for those who have kidney failure. Dialysis fluid is passed on one side whereas the blood containing the waste products passes on the other. Diffusion occurs from the blood to the dialysis fluid and then the fluid is disposed and the blood is free of waste.

Fig. 2 schematic illustrates blood dialysis

Fig.3 schematic illustrates the direction fi diffusion in blood dialysis

Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to determine the diffusion coefficient of 2 M NaCl solution in distilled water by measuring the conductivity of the solution as indicator for the difference in concentration. From a calibration curve between concentration and conductivity of NaCl solution it was found that CM (Electrical Conductivity change per unit molarity change -1M-1) = 0.41 (for dil. Solutions).

Experiment description:
A 2 M of NaCl solution is placed in the diffusion cell to make sure that we are calculating diffusion in only one direction (vertical direction) then the diffusion cell is immersed in distilled water. A magnetic stirrer is used to well mixing the solution to obtain a uniformed concentration in the entire tank. A conductmeter is used to observe diffusion rate over time. Temperature is fixed at the start of the experiment.

Apparatus and equipment:

Fig. the equipment of the experiment

Schematic illustrates the equipment of the experiment

Experiment procedure:
1. Fill the diffusion cell completely with 4 M NaCl solution and wipe off any excess solution. Ensure that the capillary tubes are in place. 2. Carefully immerse the cell into the distilled water and position the cell until the top of the capillaries is about 5 mm below the water level. 3. Connect the conductivity meter to the electrodes in the cell. 4. Switch on the magnetic stirrer to provide a gentle agitation. 5. record the conductivity reading every 5 minutes

Calculations:
Diffusivity can be calculated from the following equation: D

V (the volume of water in outer vessel) = X * Y * H = 13 *13*16 = 2704 cm3 = 2.704 liter X (capillaries length) = 0.5 cm d (capillaries diameter) = 0.1 cm N (number of capillaries) = 317 M (molarity of NaCl) = 2M CM (electrical conductivity change per unit molarity change -1M-1 To calculate

, several readings of conductivity are taken at

different time as shown is the following table: Table.1

Time (min) 5 10 15 20

Conductivity (S) 96.4 106.8 114.6 121.7

Using the pervious data a graph of conductivity (S) versus time (min) is plotted as following:

0.00014 0.00012 0.0001 0.00008 0.00006 0.00004 0.00002 0 0 5

conductivity Vs. time

10

15

20

25

Fig. graph of conductivity (S) vs. time (min) The slope of the pervious graph is =

= 2*10-6
= L.cm-1.min-1

So D = Conclusions and errors:

In conclusion, for the experiment of diffusion of sodium chloride solution into distilled water, several readings of conductivity at different times are taken and a graph is plotted. From the slope of graph it is found that = 2*10
-6

S/min and

then diffusivity of 4 M NaCl in distilled water is =

The results arent very accurate due to many reasons such as: 1. Instrumental errors (errors in conductivity meter) 2. Efficiency of magnetic stirrer isnt 100% so the mixture could be not well mixed 3. Errors in analyzing the concentration of NaCl solution used 4. Temperature changes due to environmental conditions 5. Human errors

Abstract: In this experiment, we studied the diffusion of 4 Molar NaCl in distilled water using diffusion cell of 317 capillaries (5 mm length 1 mm diameter) as an example of liquid-liquid diffusion. The experiment is done at 23 CO and temperature is kept constant during the whole experiment. It is found that the diffusivity is equals to L.cm-1.min-1.

References: J. Philibert (2005). One and a half century of diffusion: Fick, Einstein, before and beyond.Diffusion Fundamentals. UEMK2411, Chemical Engineering Lab Manual, 2009 CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 93rd Edition http://www.woisd.net/moodle/mod/resource/view.php?id=67 http://www.patelhospital.com/Faq2renal%20therapy.aspx