Department of Petrochemical Engineering, SVSCE, Coimbatore

MASS TRANSFER I
UNIT 1
TWO MARKS:
1. State Fick’s law of diffusion. (June 12/ Dec 14)
It states that molar flux is directly proportional to the concentration gradient.
JA = - DABdCA/dZ
Where
JA = molar flux (moles/ m2 sec)
DAB= diffusivity or diffusion coefficient (m2/ s)
dCA/dZ = concentration gradient
The –ve sign indicates drop in concentration from high to low concentration.
2. Define molecular diffusion and eddy diffusion.(Dec 2011/ Dec 2013)
Molecular diffusion:When diffusion results from the random movement/motion of the
molecules it is called molecular diffusion. The movement of individual molecules is highly
zigzag manner/ random walk process through another fluid.
Eddy diffusion: To enhance the rate of mixing, mechanical agitation is provided and this will
cause a turbulent motion. This method of mass transfer is known as eddy diffusion.
3. What is the effect of temperature and pressure on diffusivity of gases? (Dec 13)
DAB decreases with increase in pressure.
DAB α 1/P
DAB increases with increase in temperature.
DAB α T1.5
4. Define Diffusivity.
It is defined as the ratio of the mass flux to its concentration gradient.
Unit – m2 / s
5. Define Knudsen diffusion. (Nov 11)
At low pressure, the mean free path of molecules may be larger than the diameter of passage
when the diffusion occurs inside the fine pore of the solids. The collision within the wall
becomes important compared to collision among molecules. This kind of diffusion is known
as Knudsen diffusion.
6. What is meant by pseudo steady state diffusion?
If the length of the diffusion path changes over a period of time, pseudo steady statedevelops.
7. Explain briefly about film theory.
Mass transfer co efficient is directly proportional to diffusivity.
k α DAB
The concentration gradient is assumed to be linear in these films.
The theory assumes that the turbulence in the bulk fluids dies at the interface.
8. What are the assumptions of penetration theory?(Dec 2016)
The mass transfer coefficient is proportional to the square root of diffusivity.
Contact between gas and liquid occurs in series of intermittent steps and the length of time
that each element remains in contact with gas is constant.
The transfer is largely due to fresh material brought to the interface by the eddies.
Each fluid element resides for the same time interval at the surface.
9. Define flux in mass transfer.
The mass transfer flux of a given component is defined as the amount of that component, in
either mass or molar units, that crosses a unit area per unit time.
flux = concentration × velocity.
10. Name different theories of mass transfer / Compare and contrast the three theories
of mass transfer.

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 Department of Petrochemical Engineering, SVSCE, Coimbatore

Film theory – mass transfer coefficient proportional to diffusivity

Penetration theory - mass transfer coefficient proportional to square root of diffusivity
Surface renewal theory - mass transfer coefficient proportional to square root of diffusivity
multiplied by surface renewal rate.
11. Write down the relation between NA and JA.
Rate of diffusion is expressed in terms of molecular flux in moles per area and time.N is
defined with respect to fixed locations in space. J is defined with respect to the relative
velocity of all components.
NA= JA+ NxA
Where N= NA+ NB
N- Total mass flux, NA= Mass flux of component A, NB= Mass flux of component B
xA = No of moles of A
12. How does diffusion occur in solids?
Diffusion through polymers
Diffusion through crystalline solid
Diffusion in porous solid
13. What are the methods for measurement of gas phase diffusion coefficient?
Twin bulb method
Stefan tube method
14. Define Mass Transfer.
The transfer of molecules from one phase to another phase / or within a phase. Driving force
is concentration gradient.The separation of a component from the mixture of components
(Gas, liquid and solid) by the principle of vapor pressure or solubility.
15. Define concentration gradient.
The change in concentration of molecules transferred per unit time per unit area.
13 MARKS:
1. Derive an expression for finding the mass flux of a component in a binary gas mixture.
(i) Diffusion of gas A through non-diffusing B.
(ii) Equimolar counter diffusion under steady state.(May/June 2016)(Nov/Dec 2016)
2. Calculate the rate of diffusion of acetic acid (A) across a film of non-diffusing water (B)
solution 2 mm thick at 17⁰C, when the concentrations (by weight) on opposite sides of the
film are 10% and 4% acid. The diffusivity of acetic acid in the solution is 0.000095 m 2/s.
Density of 10% and 4% acid (by weight) are 1013 kg/m3 and 1004 kg/m3 respectively.
Molecular weight of acetic acid is 60, molecular weight of water is 18.
3. Explain the types of diffusion in solids.
4. A vertical glass tube of diameter 0.3 cm is filled with benzene at 30⁰C to a depth of 2 cm
from top end. After 24 hours, the liquid level in the tube had fallen to 2.5 cm from the top
end. Estimate the diffusivity of benzene into air if the air above the liquid surface in the tube
is stagnant. The vapour pressure and density of benzene at 30C are 60 mm Hg and 800 kg/m3
respectively.
5. Alcohol is diffusing from gas to liquid and water from liquid to gas under conditions of
equimolar counter diffusion at 35⁰C and 1atm pressure. The molarconcentration of alcohol
on the two sides of a gas film 0.2 mm thick is 90% and 10% respectively. Assuming the
diffusivity of alcohol-water vapour to be 0.18 cm2/s, calculate the rate of diffusion of alcohol
and water in kilograms per hour through an area of 100 cm2. Molecular weight of alcohol =
7.41.
6. Water in the bottom of a narrow metal tube is held at a constant temperature of 298K. The
dry ambient air outside the tube is at 1atm and 298 K. Water evaporates and diffuses through
the air in the tube and the diffusion path z2-z1 is 50 cm long. Calculate the rate of evaporation
at steady state in moles/ cm2 s. The diffusivity of water vapour (A) in air (B) at 1 atm and
298 K is 0.250 cm2/s. Assume that air is insoluble in water.

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 Department of Petrochemical Engineering, SVSCE, Coimbatore

7. Discuss the various mass transfer theories have been used to predict mass transfer
coefficients.
8. In an oxygen-nitrogen gas mixture at 1 atm, 25C, the concentrations of oxygen at two
planes 0.2 cm apart are 10% and 20% volume respectively. Calculate the rate of diffusion of
oxygen expressed as gmol/cm2 for equimolar counter diffusion of the two gases. Diffusivity
of oxygen in nitrogen at 25C and 1 atm is 0.206 cm2/sec.
9. Explain the method of measurement and calculation of diffusivities.

UNIT 2
Two Marks:
1. Define JD factor and give its significance.
The experimental data on mass transfer coefficient and friction factor correlated empirically
by Chilton and Colburn.JD = f/2.
2. Define mass transfer coefficient.
Mass transfer coefficient is defined as the rate of mass transfer per unit area per unit
concentration difference.
3. What is meant by HTU and NTU?
HTU - Height of transfer unit is a measure of the separation effectiveness of the particular
packings for a particular separation process.
NTU – Number of transfer unit is a measure of the difficulty of separation.
4.Differentiate between murphree efficiency and point efficiency in gas-liquid contact
operations.
Overall efficiency = (theoretical/ideal plates required)/actual plates required× 100
The murphree stage efficiency is defined as the ratio of the actual concentration change
effected in one phase to the concentration change attainable if that phase leaves in
equilibrium with the actual concentration of the other leaving stream.
Point efficiency pertains to a particular place on the plate surface.
5. State Henry’s law. Where can it be applied?
pA = H CA. Henry’s constant H is very small means ( a case with high soluble gas) total
resistance equal to the gas film resistance. If H is very large (a case with a insoluble gas) the
total resistance equal to the liquid film resistance.
6. What do you mean by equilibrium line and operating line?
An ideal stage is a device in which the phases are allowed to remain in contact for a period
long enough to establish thermodynamic equilibrium then the phases leave with equilibrium
compositions. An ideal stage is also known as equilibrium stage or a theoretical stage. In an
actual operation, we will not be able to provide such a long time of contact and therefore, the
concentration change in an actual stage (operating line) will be less than that achieved with
an ideal stage.
7. Give four examples of common tower packings.
Raschig rings, Lessing ring, Berl saddle, Intalox saddle, Metal pall ring.
8. Explain the term Foaming in packed column.
Foaming refers to the expansion of liquid due to passage of vapour or gas. Although it
provides high interfacial liquid-vapour contact, excessive foaming often leads to liquid
buildup on trays. In some cases, foaming may be so bad that the foam mixes with liquid on
the tray above. Whether foaming will occur depends primarily on physical properties of the
liquid mixtures, but is sometimes due to tray designs and condition. Whatever the cause,
separation efficiency is always reduced.
9. Explain the term Entrainment
Entrainment refers to the liquid carried by vapour up to the tray above and is again caused by
high vapour flow rates. It is detrimental because tray efficiency is reduced: lower volatile
material is carried to a plate holding liquid of higher volatility. It could also contaminate high
purity distillate. Excessive entrainment can lead to flooding.

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 Department of Petrochemical Engineering, SVSCE, Coimbatore

10. Explain the term Weeping/Dumping.

This phenomenon is caused by low vapour flow. The pressure exerted by the vapour is
insufficient to hold up the liquid on the tray. Therefore, liquid starts to leak through
perforations. Excessive weeping will lead to dumping. That is the liquid on all trays will
crash (dump) through to the base of the column (via a domino effect) and the column will
have to be re-started. Weeping is indicated by a sharp pressure drop in the column and
reduced separation efficiency.
11. Explain the term Flooding.( Dec2013/June 2016)
Flooding is brought about by excessive vapour flow, causing liquid to be entrained in the
vapour up the column. The increased pressure from excessive vapour also backs up the liquid
in the downcomer, causing an increase in liquid holdup on the plate above. Depending on the
degree of flooding, the maximum capacity of the column may be severely reduced. Flooding
is detected by sharp increases in column differential pressure and significant decrease in
separation efficiency.
12. Distinguish between co current and counter current process.(June 2016)
The extent of mass transfer can be improved over and above that which is possible with a
single stage by multiple contact in which several stages are interconnected. The co current
operation, where both streams are flowing in same direction and in counter current operation
they flow in opposite direction. For a given ratio of flow rates the percent recovery of solute,
is higher in counter current process than any other arrangements.
13. Define channeling.
At low liquid rates much of the packing surface may be dry or atmost covered by stagnant
film of liquid (unequal wetting of packed tower). This effect is known as channeling.
14. Define loading. ( Dec 2013)
As gas flow rate is increased, the pressure drop per unit length of packing increases, pressure
drop is low when the packing is dry. With increase in liquid flowrate, pressure drop increases
as it reduces the space available for gas flow. The point at which liquid hold (liquid held in
tray) start increases is known as loading point.
15.Define priming.
In case of gas liquid contact, high gas velocities may lead to a condition of foaming is known
as priming. In such cases the foam is present in the space between trays and there is a great
deal of liquid getting entrained with gas. The liquid carried is recirculated between trays and
the added liquid give rise to pressure drop.
13 Marks:
1. Derive the relation between local and overall transfer coefficient.(Nov/Dec 2015, Nov/
Dec 2014)
2. Discuss the working principle of a Tray towers with neat sketch.(Nov/Dec 2014)
3. Obtain an expression for overall mass transfer coefficient in terms of film coefficients.
4. Compare Tray towers with packed towers based on its operation and
applications.(May/June 2016,Nov/Dec 2014)
5. Explain with neat sketch about cross current and counter current arrangements. Also
obtain expressions for operating lines for each.
6. At 293 K the solubility of ammonia in water is given by p = 0.00127C, where, p is in
atmosphere and C is in kmole/m3. A mixture of 15% ammonia and 85% air by volume at 1
atm is in contact with an aqueous solution containing 0.147 gmole/lit. The air velocity is
such that hg/hl = 0.9, Find the concentration of ammonia and partial pressure at interface.
7. Compare plate and packed columns for merits and demerits.
8. Discuss in detail about the differential and stage wise contact operations.
9. What is meant by murphree stage efficiency and plate efficiency?
10. Explain the essential properties of good tower packing used in gas-liquid contact.

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