Mass Transfer Coefficient and

Interphase Mass Transfer

 Mass Transfer Coefficient and
Interphase Mass Transfer
• Molecular diffusion in stagnant fluid at laminar flow is
emphasized here.
• We know the rate of diffusion under molecular diffusion is
very slow.
• In order to the fluid velocity for introducing turbulence, the
fluid has to flow past a solid surface.
• When a fluid flows past a solid surface, free regions for
mass transfer can be visualized.
• There is a region of laminar or thin viscous sub layer very
adjacent to the surface where most of the mass transfer
occurs by molecular diffusion due to which a sudden
concentration drop is seen.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttHn19QSGE4
• Next, a gradual change in concentration of the diffusing
substance is obtained in transition region.
• In the third region called turbulent region, a very small
variation in the concentration is observed.
• Since the eddies present, which tend to make the fluid in
more uniform concentration.
• The above trend on concentration distribution with distance
from the solid surface is shown in the figure.
 Mass Transfer coefficient
• As the turbulent flow mechanism is yet to be
understood, it is better to express the turbulent diffusion
in a similar manner as that of molecular diffusion.
• Molecular diffusion is characterized by the term DAB
C/Z which is modified by ‘F’, a mass transfer
coefficient for binary system.
• Here the flux depends upon the cross sectional surface
area which may vary, the diffusional path which is not
specifically known and the bulk average
concentration difference.
• Flux = (coefficient) X (concentration difference)
• Since concentration can be expressed in many
ways, the different types of equations are possible
as mentioned below:
• For transfer of A through stagnant B i.e NB = 0
– For gases
NA = kG(pA1-pA2) = ky(yA1-yA2) = kC(CA1-CA2)
– For liquids
NA = kx(xA1-xA2) = kL(CA1-CA2)
Where kG, ky, kC, kx and kL are individual mass transfer
coefficients.
• For Equimolar counter diffusion i.e NA= -NB
– For gases
NA = k’G(pA1-pA2) = k’y(yA1-yA2) = k’C(CA1-CA2)
– For liquids
NA = k’x(xA1-xA2) = k’L(CA1-CA2)
• Thus, kC is a replacement of DAB C/Z that is used for low
mass transfer rates.
• F can be used for high mass transfer rates and it can be
related to k’s as F=kG(pB)lm
• For other relations of mass transfer coefficients and flux
equations are in the table.

• The mass transfer coefficient can also be correlated as a

dimensionless factor JD by
JD= (k’C/V)(Nsc)2/3

• Where V is the mass average velocity of the fluid, and Nsc

is Schmidt number i.e Nsc=(µ/ρ DAB)
• Where ρ and µ are the density and viscosity of the mixture
respectively.
 Mass Transfer Theories
• Various theories have been used as models for
explaining the turbulent mass transfer.
• Theses models can be used for predicting the
mass transfer coefficients and can be correlated
with experimental data.
• Some of those theories are:
– Film theory
– Penetration theory
– Surface renewal theory
– Combination of Film & Surface Renewal theory
– Surface stretch theory
 Film Theory
• Turbulent flow of liquid over a solid surface and
simultaneous mass transfer is taking place.
• This theory postulates that there is a stagnant film of
thickness Zf adjacent to the interface where the
concentration difference is attributed to molecular
diffusion.
• As molecular diffusion occurring only in Zf, the flux
equation is written as,

• Where (CA1-CA2) is the concentration difference

• Hence kc=(DAB/Zf) i.e the mass transfer coefficient is
proportional to DAB and JD is given by the equation:
 Penetration Theory
• It was proposed by Higbie and it explains the
mass transfer at fluid surface.
• In many times the time of exposure is too short
and there may be not be sufficient time for
steady state concentration gradient of the film
theory to develop.
• An eddy b, rising form the turbulent liquid is exposed
for a short time, ϴ at the interface for absorption.
• The exposure time is assumed to be constant for all
eddies or the particles of liquid.
• Initially the eddy concentration is CA0 and when it
comes to the surface the interface concentration is CAi.
Since the exposure time is very less, molecules of the
solute from the gas never reach the depth Zb(the
thickness of the eddy)
• The liquid particle is subjected to unsteady state
diffusion and hence the Fick’s second law is applied.

• From the solute point of view, the depth Zb is

considered to be infinite.
• The boundary conditions are thus given as:
 CA= CA0 at ϴ=0 for all Z
 CA= CAi at Z=0, ϴ >0
 CA=CA0 at Z= for all ϴ
 By solving the above equation we get the average flux
to be

 Where kL,av is proportional to DAB0.5 and the exponent

sometime may vary from 0.8 to 0.9.
 Surface Renewal Theory
• In reality the time of exposure of all eddies as in the
penetration theory is not constant.
• Hence Danckwerts modified the penetration theory to
account for varying lengths of time of exposure.
• If S is the fractional rate of replacement of elements,
Then
NA,av = (CAi – CA0)(DAB.S)0.5
• Hence kL,av is proportional to DAB0.5
 Combination of Film-Surface Renewal
Theory
• Film theory is meant for steady state diffusion where
kL is proportional to DAB0.5 and in surface renewal
theory, kL is proportional to DAB0.5
• So kL is proportional to DABn with ‘n’ dependent upon
the circumstances provided.
• In this theory Dobbins replaced the third boundary
condition of CA=CA0 at Z= for all ϴ by CA=CA0 at
Z=Zb, where Zb is of finite depth.
 Surface Stretch Theory
• Lightfoot and his coworkers found
that the mass transfer at the interface
varies with time periodically.
• When mass transfer is proceeding for
a particular system the control portion
of the drop is thoroughly turbulent
and resistance to mass transfer resides
in a surface layer with varying
thickness and the drop is elongated.
• According to this theory

• Where A is the time dependent interfacial surface, Ar is the

reference value of A, defined for every situation and ϴr is the
constant with dimensions of time or drop formation time.
 ANALOGIES
• As flow past solid surface occurs, at uniform velocity u0,
the curve ABCD separates the region of velocity u0 from
a region of lower velocity. This curve that separates
these two regions is called boundary layer.
• Likewise during mass
transfer a concentration
boundary layer occurs.
The universal velocity
distribution can be
understood by studying
the analogies between
momentum and mass
transfer.
• The similarity between the transfer operations of
momentum, heat and mass lead to the possibility
of determining mass transfer characteristics for
different situations from the knowledge of the
other two processes.
• The various analogies and their assumptions
involved are discussed in detail.
• Some of them are:
1. Reynolds
2. Chilton-Colburn
3. Taylor-Prandtl
4. Von-Karman
 1.Reynolds Analogy
In his analogy, the assumptions are:
(i) Only turbulent core is present
(ii) Velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are perfectly
matching
(iii) All diffusivities are same
Hence
where all the three diffusivities are equal then
Prandtl Number (NPr) = Schmidt Number (NSc)
The basic flux equations of heat, mass and momentum transfer
are given below as:
• Let us consider heat and momentum transfer

• As per assumption (ii), velocity and temperature profiles

match and hence,

• Multiplying by Cpµ on both sides we get

• Since K= Cpµ by the assumption (iii) and rearranging
we get

• Combining the heat and momentum equations we get

• Therefore

• Reynolds Analogy equation is

 2. Chilton-Colburn Analogy
In this analogy, the assumptions considered are,
(i) Only turbulent core is present
(ii) Velocity, temperature and concentration
profiles are same
(iii)NPr and NSc are not equal to unity.
In this analogy, the equation obtained is
 3. Taylor-Prandtl Analogy
In this analogy, the assumptions considered are,
(i) Assume the presence of turbulent core and
laminar sublayer.
(ii) NPr and NSc are not equal to unity.
In this analogy, the equation obtained is
 4. Von-Karman Analogy
In this analogy, the assumptions considered are,
(i) Assume the presence of turbulent core, laminar
sublayer and buffer layers.
(ii) Universal velocity profile equations are applicable
(iii) NPr and NSc are not equal to unity.
In this analogy, the equation obtained is
 Interphase Mass Transfer
Equilibrium:
• Consider that an amount of solute from a gaseous
mixture is dissolved in solvent.
• After sufficient time, the system will attain equilibrium
with respect to a particular temperature and pressure.
• The concentration of the solute in both the gas and
liquid phase may not be equal but the chemical
potential of solute will be equal at equilibrium.
• The net rate of diffusion is zero at equilibrium.
• Concentration of solute in liquid phase is expressed by
mole fraction x and the concentration of solute in gas
phase is expressed by mole fraction y.
 Two phase Mass Transfer
• Generally the two phase system occurs in most of the mass
transfer operations.
• Suppose the two phases are immiscible with each other,
then an interphase is seen between the two phases.
• Consider a solute A which is in bulk gas phase G and
diffusing into liquid phase L.
• There should be a concentration gradient within each phase
to cause diffusion through resistance is shown below.
• yAG yAi xAL xAi
• The bulk phase concentrations, yAG and xAL are certainly
not at equilibrium.
• Thus this enables diffusion.
• At the interface, there are no resistance to transfer of solute
and concentrations yAi and xAi are in equilibrium and they
are related by the equilibrium distribution relation as:

• The concentration driving forces is shown as in figure.

• If we consider a steady state mass transfer, the rate at
which molecules reach the interface will be same rate at
which the molecules are transferred to the liquid phase.
• Since there is no resistance, the flux for each phase can
be expressed in terms of mass transfer coefficient.
• NA = ky(yAG-yAi) = kx(xAi-xAL)
• where ky and kx are local gas and liquid mass transfer
coefficients.
• i.e

• Hence, the interface compositions can be determined if

kx, ky, yAG and xAL values are known.
 Overall Mass Transfer Coefficient
• Experimentally determining the rate of mass transfer is
very difficult since it is not possible to evaluate the
interface compositions.
• However, bulk concentrations are easily measured since
xAL and yA* has same chemical potential.
• The concentration driving forces are shown in the
figure below:
• The flux can be written in terms of overall mass transfer
coefficient for each phase.
NA = Ky(yAG-yA*)
• where Ky is overall mass transfer coefficient
• From the figure we can write that:
(yAG-yA*) = (yAG-yAi)+(yAi-yA*) = (yAG-yAi)+m’(xAi-xAL)
• where m’ is the slope of the chord CM, substituting for the
concentration differences we get:

• i.e

• Similarly for the liquid side: NA = Kx(xA*-xAL)

• On simplification we get:
• m” is the slope of MD. The 1/Kx and 1/Ky equations
shows the relationship between the individual and
overall mass transfer coefficients. This can further be
written as:

• Assuming that kx and ky are the same and m’ is small so

the solute A is highly soluble in liquid (equilibrium
curve will be flat) then the term m’/kx will be negligible
compared to 1/ky.
• Hence
• Thus the previous relation says that overall
resistance only lies in the gas phase.
• Conversely when m” is very large, then the solute
A is relatively insoluble in liquid. Under this
condition, the term 1/m”ky will be negligible
compared to that of 1/kx.

• Thus the entire mass transfer is controlled by

liquid phase.
• When kx and ky are not equal, m’ and m” will
determine he location of the controlling mass
transfer resistance.