Mass transfer

Q. What is Distillation?
Distillation is the process of separating the components or substances from a liquid
mixture by using selective boiling and condensation of components.

Q. What is basic principle on which distillation is based?

Differences of volatility of individual components.

Q. What does volatile means?

Tendency to form vapor from liquid
Tendency to escape from liquid surface

Q. What is relative volatility?

Relative volatility tells ease of separation component from other components.

Q. What is formulae of relative volatility?

Concentration ratio of A to B in vapor phase divided by the same in liquid phase.
(Ratio of vapor pressure A to B in case of ideal).

Q. What is the driving force for distillation?

Difference in composition between the vapor phase and the liquid phase.

Q. What is vapour pressure?

Vapor pressure or equilibrium vapor pressure is defined as the pressure exerted by a vapor in
thermodynamic equilibrium with its liquid phase at a given temperature in a closed system.

Q. Draw the T-x-y diagram for binary distillation.

Q. What is dew point?

Q. What is bubble point?
The bubble point is the point at which the first drop of a liquid mixture begins to vaporize.
The dew point is the point at which the first drop of a gaseous mixture begins to condense.
At constant P.

Q. Practical Application of distillation

Crude oil distillation
Water and ethanol

Q. What are the methods used for designing of distillation column?

Macbe thiele Method and ponchon savarit

Q. Which method is widely used for designing and why?

Ponchon savarit method is widely used for designing of distillation column.
Used for multi component distillation and does not take assumption like CMO and
enthalpy of vapor and Liquid are same regardless of their composition and T.
This is a rigorous graphical method and also account heat loss from the column.

Q. What are the assumptions of Mcabe Thiele Method?

McCabe-Thiele Method is that it is not very useful for analyzing the distillation of mixtures
containing more than 2 components.
No heat loss from the column
Equal Counter molar overflow
Enthalpy of vapor and Liquid are same regardless of their composition and T.

Q. What is the y-x diagram in case of Macbe thiele Method?

Shows equilibrium relationship composition of vapor and liquid phase.
Either T or P

Q. What are the three sections in distillation column?

Rectifying (or enriching) section,
Stripping (or exhausting) section
Feed (or flashing) section.

Q. What are the various operating lines in Mcabe Thiele Method?

The rectifying section operating line describes the amount of liquid sent back down the rectifying
section as reflux.
3 straight lines: the rectifying section operating line (ROL), the feed line (also known as
the q-line) and the stripping section operating line (SOL).

Q. What is reflux?
Part of distillate send back to the distillation column.

Q. What will happen to operating lines if reflux becomes infinite?

Operating line coincides with Y = X line and minimum number of tray required.
I.e. Relative volatility become 1 that result same boiling point of all components in the
mixture.

Q. What will number of trays in M cabe Thiele Method if Reflux becomes minimum?
Infinite no. of tray

Q. What is pinch point?

The intersection or tangent of operating line and the equilibrium curve is called a pinch point.
A simple column will have two pinch points (two operating lines).
A pinch at the intersection of the feed line and the equilibrium curve indicates that the column is
operating at minimum reflux. (In terms of distillation Column)

Pinch point is the location in heat exchanger where the temperature difference between hot and
cold fluid is minimum (in term of heat exchanger)
Q. What will be the driving force at pinch point?
In case of mass transfer the driving force is 0.
In case of heat transfer the driving force is dTmin.

Q. How will feed line change in y-x diagram in case of Mcabe Thiele Method while
changing various feed quality like cold feed, subcooled feed, superheated feed,
saturated liquid, saturated vapors?

Q. What is azeotrope?
Constant boiling mixture having same vapor and liquid composition.

Q. What are two types of azeotrope that can be formed?

Min. Boiling azeotrope (formed in case of +ve deviation from ideality)
Max. Boiling azeotrope (formed in case of -ve deviation from ideality)

Q. Draw the y-x diagram for positive boiling azeotrope.

Q. Draw the y-x diagram for negative boiling azeotrope.

Q. Draw the T-x-y diagram for positive boiling azeotrope.

Q. Draw the T-x-y diagram for negative boiling azeotrope.

Q. Draw the P-x-y diagram for positive boiling azeotrope.

Q. Draw the P-x-y diagram for negative boiling azeotrope.

Q. Give examples of positive boiling azeotrope.

Ethanol – water,

Q. Give examples of negative boiling azeotrope.

HCl - water,

Q. What will be the relative volatility at azeotrope point?

1

Q. How azeotropes can be eliminated?

By adding extra component that will change relative volatility of component from 1 or
form another azeotrope.
Azeotropic distillation
Extractive distillation

Q. What is azeotropic distillation?

Azeotropic distillation is a technique in which extra component called entrainer is added
to generate a new, lower-boiling azeotrope with one of the original component, whose
volatility is such that it can easily separate from original component.
Lower boiling azeotrope comes from top of the column. After condensation of that
heteroazeotrope formation of two insoluble layer of entariner and original component
take place. Heterogeneous (producing two immiscible liquid phases).

• Azeotropic distillation is also called Hetroazeotropic distillation.

Q. Explain azeotropic distillation with diagram.

Q. What is extractive distillation?
Extractive distillation is defined as distillation in the presence of a miscible, high-boiling,
relatively non-volatile component, the solvent that forms no azeotrope with the other
components in the mixture. The method is used for mixtures having a low value of
relative volatility, nearing unity.
In this method we add relatively high boiling point component called solvent. Solvent
alter the relative volatility of azeotropic mixture.
Extractive distillation is also called Homogenous Azeotropic distillation.

•
Q. Explain extractive distillation with diagram.

Q. What is pressure swing distillation?

Pressure - swing distillation is a method for separating a pressure-sensitive azeotrope
that utilizes 2 columns operated in sequence at 2 different pressures. Some binary
azeotrope mixtures lose azeotropic behavior when the system pressure is changed. In
this case, separation can be achieved without using an additional entertainer.
For example, in the case of ethanol-water mixture (azeotropic composition 89.4 mole%
at 101.325 KPa), an azeotrope does not form below a pressure of approximately 9.2
KPa.

Q. Explain pressure swing distillation with diagram.

Q. What is optimum reflux ratio?

The no of plates required decrease as the reflux ratio Inc. the column height decrease
as a result. However, at a higher reflux both the liquid and vapor flow rate are higher
this increase the column diameter. But on whole cost of the column decrease with
increase reflux. On the other hand due to increment of reflux vapor and liquid flow rate
will increase that result higher heat duty and bigger size condenser and reboiler.
Ropt – (1.2 to 1.5) times Rmin.

Q. What is q?
Quality of feed (fraction of L contain in feed)

Q. Function tray in column.

The function of a tray is to facilitate contact between the vapors phase and liquid phase so that
mass transfer between the two phases can take place.
Each tray can be considered as being made up of three sections: weir, bubbling area, and down
comer

Q. What are the various types of tray?

Valve tray.
Sieve tray.
Bubble cap tray

Q. Explain briefly about valve tray.

Valve Tray: These trays are like striking a balance between sieve tray and bubble cap
tray. These trays have a covering over the plates which rises when the vapour enters the
plate. The rising of the covering is directly proportional to the flow rate of vapour. Thus
vapour enters the plate, rises through the pool of liquid and leaves the plate moving
upwards via the valve openings.

Advantages of Valve Trays:

 1. Very less probability of weeping since valve opening is proportional to vapour
flow rate, thus lower the vapour flow rate, lesser the opening.
2. Pressure drop between sieve tray and bubble cap tray.
3. Cost between sieve tray and bubble cap tray.

Disadvantages of Valve Trays:

1. Less efficient mixing as compared to bubble cap trays.

2. Difficult to operate and clean.

Explain briefly about sieve tray.

Sieve Tray: Sieve Tray is like a simple perforated tray. It has holes on the tray. Liquid
flows downwards and gas flows upwards through hole.

Advantages of Sieve Tray:

1. Very low pressure drop.

2. Low Cost.
3. Easy Operation and cleaning.
Disadvantages of Sieve Tray:

1. High probability of weeping.

2. Less efficient mixing as gas does not flow through the liquid completely.

Q. Explain briefly about bubble cap tray.

Bubble Cap Tray: This tray has a cap over it with slots. There is a pool of liquid under
the bubble cap. The vapour enters the tray, turns 90 degrees through the bubble cap
and leaves the plate to rise upwards via the slots.

Advantages of Bubble Cap Tray:

1. Excellent Mixing since gas/ vapour travels through the pool of liquid.
2. Very less probability of weeping. Weeping is a phenomenon where gas flow
rate is very low and liquid flow rate is very high due to which, the liquid simply
runs through the plate downwards without any mixing with the gas.
Disadvantages of Bubble Cap Tray:

1. High Pressure Drop.

2. High Cost.
 3. Difficult to operate and clean.

Chimney is a piece of tube with expanded bottom end.

And it acts as vapor passage and hold the cap.

Q. Difference between baffle and chimney tray.

Q. When will be minimum number of trays will be required.

At infinite reflux ratio

Q. When will be maximum number of trays will be required.

At Rmin

Q. What is flooding?
Excessive liquid flow rate down the column
Causes- high feed flow rate, subcooled and high reflux, high vapor flow rate

Q. What is entrainment?
Entrainment refers to the liquid carried by vapour up to the tray above and is again caused by
high vapour flow rates. It reduces the tray efficiency drastically.

Q. What is weeping?
At low vapor flow rate, liquid starts to come down via tray hole. That crate noise like
weeping.

Q. What is 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.

Q. What is coning?
Coning in a Tray Tower occurs due to low liquids flow velocities as compare to gas.
Which results pushing the liquid away from the tray openings to the condenser.

Q. What is down comer?

Down comers are conduits having circular, segmental, or rectangular cross sections that convey
liquid from upper tray to a lower tray in a distillation column.

Q. What is weir?
The function of a weir is to maintain a desired liquid level on the tray. Typical weir height is
between 2 - 4 inches. Low weirs are frequently used in low pressure or vacuum columns.

Q. What is reflux drum?

Reflux drum to hold the condensed vapor from the top of the column so that liquid (reflux) can be
recycled back to the column.
Q. What is flashing?
Hot liquid mixture is throttled into a vessel, a part of it will vaporize. The vapor produced
will be richer in the more volatile components.

Q. What does pump around reflux system means?

The purpose of pump around reflux system is to remove hot liquid from the tower and pumps it to a
cooler. The cool liquid is then re-introduced at higher level in the tower. A pump around help controls
temperature of the internal reflux.
Q. What does pump back reflux system means?
Reflux pumps then draw liquid from the bottom of the accumulator and pump part of
it back (reflux) where it is reintroduced at a lower point in the column. This refluxing process
improves separation in the column by assuring sufficient downward liquid flow meeting the rising
vapor.

Q. When to increase the pressure of distillation column.

To Liquid flow rate down the column.
If feed contain more than 70 % vapor content.

Q. Results due to increase in pressure

When we increase pressure in distillation column following phenomenon take place.

1. If we increase pressure then bubble point of mixture increase so we need more

reboiler duty. If your hot utility is not compatible for that change then you have
to replace it.
2. If we increase pressure then dew point of mixture also increase so we need
more condenser duty. If your cold utility is not compatible for that change then
you have to replace it.
3. If we increase pressure then relative volatility decrease because Pressure don’t
have linear relationship with boiling point. At lower pressure with decreasing
pressure boiling point reduction is higher compare to boiling point reduction
at higher pressure.
4. If we increase pressure then relative volatility decrease so for the same purity of
product more stages required. So height of distillation column will increase.
5. For lower pressure we select packed bed column and for higher pressure we
select tray column. So if we increase pressure up to certain level then we have
to change column internals.
6. If we increase pressure then we have to increase reflux ratio for the desire
purity.
7. Also the boiling point increases and so the temperature at the top and bottom
products increases and so the heating and cooling duty increases.

Q. When to decrease the pressure of distillation column.

If boiling point of feed is very high (vacuum distillation).
In case of weeping
At particular tray number and reflux ratio if we cannot able to get desirable product

Q. When to increase and decrease the reflux ratio.

Increase –
1. To increase purity of distillate.
2. If column pressure is increase but column height is same.
3. In case of drying means liquid flow rate down the column decrease
Decrease
1. In case of flooding
2. If column pressure is decrease but column height is same.
3. If purity of distillate is not desirable.

Q. What is demister?
A demister is a device often fitted to vapor–liquid separator vessels to enhance the removal of
liquid droplets entrained in a vapor stream.
Q. What is the variation of relative volatility with pressure?
When pressure increases, relative volatility between the components will decrease

Q. where is the minimum and maximum temperature in column?

Maximum temperature at bottom
And minimum temperature at top.

Q. How to decrease number of plates without manipulating reflux ratio?

Decrease the pressure of column. As the pressure of the column will decrease the
separation become easier so we require less number of tray at given reflux ratio.

• For a single component the bubble point and the dew point are the same and are
referred to as the boiling point.
• As we increase P (in T-X-Y diagram) dew point and bubble point both will increase.
• As we increase T (in P-X-Y diagram) dew point and bubble point both will increase.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. What is packed column?
A packed bed is a hollow tube, pipe, or other vessel that is filled with a packing material. The
packing can be randomly filled with small objects like Raschig ring or else it can be a specifically
designed structured packing.

Q. Basic difference between packed and tray column.

In Packed tower continuous contact between two streams.
In tray tower stage wise contact between streams.

Q. What is packing?
It is arrangement of packing material in hollow vessel.

Q. What properties the packing should have?

1. A large surface area
2. Provide uniform flow of gas and liquid
3. High void space (high void space less P drop)
4. Mechanical strength of packing material should be high enough
5. Cost of packing material should be low

Q. What are various types of packing?

1. Random packing
First generation packing (1907-1950) – Raschig ring, Berl saddle,
Second generation packing (1950-1970) - Pall ring, Intalox saddle
Third generation packing (after 1970) - Nutter ring, Flexisaddles
2. Structured packing –
Corrugated metal sheet structured packing
 Weir mesh structured packing
3. Grid packing

Q. Advantage and disadvantage of packed column

Advantage-
1. Packing can be made from inert materials, packed beds are able to handle corrosive
materials.
2. Suitable for low pressure operations.
3. Most cost-efficient distillation column when the diameter of the column is less than 0.6 m.
4. Suitable for foaming liquid.
5. Good for thermally sensitive liquids.

Disadvantage

1. Packing can break during installation, or due to thermal expansion.

2. Not cost efficient for high liquid flow rates.
3. Contact efficiencies are decreased when the liquid flow rate is too low.

Q. Random packing vs structured packing

1. In case of random packing pressure drop is more as compare to structured

packing.
2. In those operation where cost of the operation has more priority than efficiency
and capacity, in that case we use random packing. Reverse true for structured
packing.
3. Random packing is used for fouling liquid.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q. What is absorption?
It is a mass transfer operation in which one or more species (solute) is removed from a
gaseous stream by dissolution in liquid.

Q. What is the principle on which absorption is based?

Solubility of solute in the liquid

Q. Give any daily life related example of absorption.

Q. What is Raoults law?
It states that the partial pressure of each component of an ideal gas mixture is equal to the vapor
pressure of the pure component multiplied by its mole fraction in the ideal liquid mixture.

Q. What is Henry law?

Henry's law is a gas law that states that the amount of dissolved gas in a liquid is proportional to its
partial pressure above the liquid. The proportionality factor is called Henry's law constant.

Q. What is stripping?
Stripping is a physical separation process where one or more components are removed from a liquid
stream by a vapor stream.

Q. what is the significance of absorption factor?

If A > 1 then we can achieve any desired separation if sufficient number is tray is
provided.
If A<1 then we can’t achieve any desired separation regardless of number of tray.

Q. Which is good for absorption high temperature or low temperature and why?
Low temperature

Q. Which is good for absorption high pressure or low pressure and why?
High pressure
Why low temperatures?

1. According to the Henry’s law, the solubility of a gas or volatile substance in a

liquid solvent generally decreases with increase in temperature (after passing
through a minima). As the aim is to dissolve more substance into the liquid, the
desirable condition is the condition at which the solubility of gas is high. So the
temperature should be low.
2. Rault’s law says the vapor pressure of a solvent is also temperature dependent.
Higher the temperature, more will be the vapor pressure. This means more
molecules will leave the liquid phase and the liquid will go the vapor phase. At
high temperatures, this will cause the loss of solvent which is very valuable and
costly and as this loss is undesirable, the temperature should be low.
Why high Pressure?

1. According to Henry’s law, higher the partial pressure, more will be the amount
of gas dissolved in liquid. Also this means higher is the solubility. The partial
pressure is directly proportional to the total pressure (Dalton’s law). This means
higher is the total pressure, more is the partial pressure. This means high Total
Pressure ensures high dissolution of gas and increased mass transfer rates.
 2. High total pressure prevents the solvent to evaporate. So it also reduces the
solvent losses.
So, both high pressure and low temperature are for the same 2 reasons.

1. to increase the amount of component dissolved in liquid

2. To prevent the vaporization of the solvent.

Q. What is HETP?
When packings are used instead of trays, the same enrichment of the vapor will occur
over a certain height of packings, and this height is termed the height equivalent to a
theoretical plate (HETP).

Q. What is NTU and HTU?

NTU – Number of transfer unit
HTU – Height of transfer unit

Q. What is significance of NTU and HTU?

NTU tells us how difficult separation is
HTU tells us how effective packing is

Q. What will happen when operating line slope and equilibrium line slope is same in
case of absorption?
Mass transfer stop and absorption factor become 1.

Q. Absorption factor?
Slope of operating line/ slope of equilibrium line

Q. When will be HETP be equal to HTU.

When operating line and equilibrium line become parallel

Q. What is molecular diffusion?

The transport of molecule from a higher concentration to a lower concentration in a
stagnant medium occurs by a mechanism called molecular diffusion.

Q. State the formulae and significance of Sherwood Number.

(K*L/D)= (Convective mass flux/diffusive flux across a layer of thickness l)

Q. State the formulae and significance of Schmidt Number.

(V/D)= (Momentum diffusivity/molecular diffusivity)

Q. What is Reynolds analogy?

(Nu/ (Re*Pr))=St (Stanton no) = f/2

Q. What is Colburn analogy?

(Nu/ (Re*Pr))=St (Stanton no) = f/2/ (Pr) ^2/3

Q. What is extraction?
Liquid-Liquid extraction (Solvent extraction)
Solid liquid extraction (leaching)
It is a mass transfer operation in which a solution is brought into intimate contact with
second immiscible or slightly miscible liquid in order to achieve transfer of solute from
feed to solvent.
After extraction solute rich part is called extract and residual feed is called raffinate.

Q. Give some examples of extraction.

Extraction of lighter component from vacuum residue by using pentane solvent.

Q. Why we use extraction in place of distillation?

Principle of distillation – separate component based on relative volatility.
Principle of extraction – separate component based on solubility their solubility in
solvent.

Q. What is partition coefficient?

A partition coefficient is used to describe how a solute is distributed between two immiscible
phase.
A partition coefficient or distribution coefficient is the ratio of concentrations of a compound in a
mixture of two immiscible phase at equilibrium. This ratio is therefore a comparison of the
solubility’s of the solute in these two liquids.

Q. What is separation factor?

If a solution contains two or more solutes say A and B, it is observed that when A is extracted,
some amount of B is also extracted. The extent of the separation can be expressed in terms of
one factor called Separation Factor.

Q. What is the principal on which extraction is based?

Liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) is based on the principle that a solute can distribute itself in a
certain ratio between two immiscible solvents.

Q. What is extract phase?

Q. What is raffinate phase?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Q. What is humidification?
Q. What is dehumidification?
Humidity - is the presence of water vapor or moisture in the air, while relative humidity,
on the other hand, and is the comparison of the actual moisture or water vapor in the
air vs. the total water vapor or moisture that the air can handle.

Humidification - is the process in which the moisture or water vapor or humidity is

added to the air. Common equipment used in this process is a humidifier.

Dehumidification - as the term suggests, is the opposite of humidification since

dehumidification means removing the moisture from the air. Common equipment used
in this process is a dehumidifier.

Now that we know the meaning of basic terms, let us now related them to sweating.

As we know for a fact, sweat is our body’s way of saying that it is already feeling too
much heat that it needs to release it through perspiration for the body to cool down.

Now, when humidity is high, the air is already saturated with water which then means
that sweat evaporates more slowly and in turn, our bodies will cool down slower too.

As opposed to when humidity is low and the air is dry, sweat evaporates quickly, which
means it also carries away heat faster.

So now, when your body sweats a lot due to the heat that it is currently feeling,
unfortunately, due to high humidity, you feel warmer instead of cooler, then we suggest
the use of a dehumidifier to help in keeping the air dry which will then result in your
sweat evaporating quickly and you feel more comfortable, faster.

As humidifiers trigger the humidification process, your best friend during this time is
certainly dehumidifiers for the dehumidification process and other natural tips in
removing moisture in the air.

Q. What is dry bulb temperature?

The dry-bulb temperature is the temperature of air measured by a thermometer freely exposed to the
air. It is also called true temperature of air but shielded from radiation and moisture.

Q. What is wet bulb temperature?

The wet bulb temperature of air is also measured by the ordinary thermometer, but the only
difference is that the bulb of the thermometer is covered by the wet cloth. When the air comes
in contact with the wet cloth it absorbs some moisture and gives up some heat, due to which
the temperature of the air reduces. This reduced temperature measured by the thermometer is
called as the wet bulb temperature. If the moisture content of the air is very low, it will give up
more heat to the cloth and the wet bulb temperature of air will also be comparatively lower. On
the other hand, if the moisture content of air is high it will lose lesser heat to the air and wet
bulb temperature will be higher. The more is the moisture or water vapor content of the air
more is the wet bulb temperature. Thus the wet bulb temperature indirectly indicates the
moisture content present in the air or we can say that it is affected by the relative humidity of
the air.

Q. What is adiabatic saturation temperature?

Let us assume an example of a long tube with liquid at temperature T2 and a steady
stream of unsaturated air is passed from one end. As the air flows over the water, some
of the water evaporates adiabatically gaining the latent heat required for evaporation
from the stream of air. So, the temperature of the air-stream decreases and moisture
content of the air increases due to evaporation adiabatically. So, the temperature of the
air stream further decreases until a point where it can no more hold any more moisture.

Q. What is saturation temperature?

The saturation temperature is the temperature for a corresponding saturation pressure at which
a liquid boils.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COOLING TOWER

What is cooling tower?

A cooling tower is a special type of heat exchanger in which the warm water and the air
are brought in direct contact for evaporative cooling.

Evaporative cooling?
In this process latent heat of evaporation is come from sensible heat.

What is the principal on which cooling tower works?

Cooling tower works basically on the principle of evaporation. In this process
the sensible heat of hot water is converted to latent heat of vaporization.

What are the types of cooling tower?

Based on air draft
1. Atmospheric
2. Natural draft
3. Mechanical draft

Based on air flow pattern

1. Crossflow
2. Counter flow

Q. What is the difference between the forced draft and induced draft cooling tower?
In Forced draft cooling tower, we use one or more than one fan at the bottom of tower to
push air into the tower.
In induced draft cooling tower, we use fan at the top of the tower to suck air from tower.

In natural draft cooling tower due to density difference of air, air move from bottom to
top. And due to low velocity at bottom of tower. (Apply Bernoulli equation)

Q. Why the shape of cooling tower is hyperbolic?

It help in create low pressure at top by increasing velocity.

Q. Which type of cooling is more efficient forced or induced type?

Q. Which type of cooling is more efficient cross and counter current flow type cooling
tower?
The major advantage of counter current flow configuration is that the relatively dry air
contact with cold water at bottom and the humid air contact the warm water at the top of
the tower. This ensures maximum average driving force for both heat and mass
transfer.
In cross current flow configuration low pumping head, thus lower operational cost whereas in
counter current flow configuration operating cost is more.

Q. What is approach?
Cooling tower approach is the difference in temperature of the water entering the basin (cold)
and the wet bulb temperature.

Q. What is range?
Range is the difference between the temperature of water entering the cooling tower and
leaving the cooling tower.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is the difference between evaporation and Vaporization?

Vaporization – change of phase from solid to liquid.
Evaporation – change of phase from liquid to vapor.

Q. What is the difference between evaporation and distillation?

Evaporation is a phenomena in which change of phase of liquid to vapor. While
distillation is a separation process in which selective evaporation and condensation
component separate from each other.

Q. What is the difference between evaporation and drying?

Evaporation is a process in which the surface molecules skip to the atmosphere by
gaining extra energy, especially in the form of heat.

Drying is a process of removing moisture from any object. Drying can occur due to
evaporation as well as external factors such as wind.
Q. What is leaching?
Solid - liquid extraction is called as leaching, in the process of separation of soluble
constituents of solid material using a suitable solvent.
Hexane, water and chlorinated solvent are widely used.
Daily life example of leaching – Extraction of oil from oil seed.

Q. On which principal leaching is based?

Solubility of solute in solvent

Q. What is ion exchange?

The exchange of ions of the same charge between an insoluble solid (resin) and a solution in
contact with it, used in water-softening and other purification and separation processes.

Q. What are the types of ion exchange?

Cation exchange and anion exchange.

Q. What is ficks law of diffusion?

The molar flux of a species relative to an observer moving with molar average velocity is
proportional to the concentration gradient of species is called ficks law of diffusion and
proportional constant is called diffusivity.

Q. What is diffusivity?
Diffusivity is a rate of diffusion, a measure of the rate at which particles or heat or fluids can
spread. Unit of diffusivity is m^2/s.

Q. Which phase has higher diffusivity and why?

Gas phase has higher diffusivity than liquid because in gas phase intermolecular bond
is weak than liquid.

Q. What is mass transfer coefficient?

Mass transfer coefficient unit m/s.
The mass transfer coefficient is a diffusion rate constant that relates the mass transfer rate, mass
transfer area, and concentration change as driving force (concentration difference).

Q. What is relation of mass transfer coefficient with Reynolds number?

Reynold analogy and colburn analogy

Q. What is interphase mass transfer?

It involve transport of one or more solute from one phase to other insoluble phase.

Q. What is driving force in interphase mass transfer?

Concentration difference

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Heat transfer

Q. What is driving force in heat transfer?

On macroscopic level the temperature difference is the driving force for heat transfer.
On microscopic level we can say that driving force for heat transfer is result of
conservation of momentum.

Q. What is 3 modes of heat transfer?

Conduction, convection, radiation

Q. What is conduction?
Conduction is the transfer of energy from one atom to another within an object by direct
contact.
Conduction occurs in solids, liquids, and gases medium.
Conduction of heat occurs when molecules high in temperature; they vibrate at their
position, and due to this vibration and movement energy transfer from one atom to other
atom.

Q. What is convection?
Convective heat transfer is the transfer of heat from one place to another due to the
molecular movement of fluids (Air or liquid). When molecules with high energy move
from one place to another they also carry heat along with them.
Two type – Natural convection and Forced convection
Convection only possible in liquid and gas medium

Q. What is radiation?
This is the only form of heat transfer which does not require a medium for it to
propagate. Basically in it heat/energy is transferred by electromagnetic waves.
Radiation constitutes of putting "heat" in packets of light and sending it out. The hotter
the object is, the packets of light radiated will have a greater frequency.

Q. What is Fourier law of heat transfer?

The law of heat conduction is also known as Fourier's law. Fourier's law states that the
time rate of heat transfer through a material is proportional to the negative gradient in
the temperature and to the area.

Q. What thermal conductivity?

Thermal conductivity is a material property describing the ability to conduct heat.
Thermal conductivity can be defined as "the quantity of heat transmitted through a unit
thickness of a material - in a direction normal to a surface of unit area - due to a unit
temperature gradient under steady state conditions".
Q. Variation of thermal conductivity of solid, gases, liquids with temperature.
The thermal conductivity of a gas increases with increase in temperature.
The thermal conductivity of a solid and liquid decrease with decrease in temperature.

Q. In which phase conduction is fastest and slowest. Give Reason.

In gas phase conduction is fastest and in solid conduction is slowest.

Q. What is heat transfer coefficient?

The heat transfer coefficient is heat flux divided by temperature difference.

Q. What is newton’s law of cooling?

The rate of heat loss of a body is directly proportional to the difference in the
temperatures between the body and its surroundings.

Q. What is critical radius of insulation?

K/h (in case of cylinder)
2K/h (in case of sphere)

Q. What is Biot number?

It is the ratio of internal resistance of heat conduction to external resistance of heat
convection.

Q. What is Nusselt number and its significance?

It is the ratio of convection heat transfer to conduction heat transfer.

Q. What is prandtl number and its significance?

(Cp*u/k)
The ratio of momentum diffusivity to thermal diffusivity.
If Pr. > 1 velocity layer will be thicker than the thermal boundary layer
If Pr. <1 velocity layer will be less thicker than the thermal boundary layer

Q. What is prandtl number for oil, gases, liquid metals?

Liquid metal (0.004 – 0.03)
Gases (0.7 – 1)
Water (1.7 – 13.7)
Oil (50 – 10000)

Q. What is peclet number and its significance?

Peclet number is the ratio of the heat transferred by convection to the heat
transferred by conduction.

Q. What is Stanton number and its significance?

Stanton Number defines the ratio of heat transferred through the fluid to the thermal
capacity of the same fluid.
It is the ratio of Nusselts Number to product of Reynolds Number and Prandtl's Number.

Its significance to be specific is used for ease of calculations in convection coefficient for
Forced Convection.

Q. What is Lewis number?

Ratio of thermal diffusivity to mass diffusivity

Q. What are two types of convection?

Natural and forced convection

Q. What is natural convection?

Q. What is forced convection?
In convection, heat transfer due to motion of medium. If we motion of medium due to
density it’s called natural convection. And if motion of medium is due to external agent
it’s called forced convection.

Q. What is Dittus Bolter equation? When it is used.

It is easy to solve but is less accurate when there is a large temperature difference
across the fluid.

Q. What is LMTD?
Logarithmic mean temperature difference between the hot and cold streams.

Q. What is heat exchanger?

A heat exchanger is a device used to transfer heat between two or more fluids.

Q. What are different types of heat exchanger?

Shell and heat exchanger
Plate type heat exchanger

Q. Design double pipe heat exchanger.

Q. Draw diagram of shell and tube heat exchangers.

Q. Tell advantages of shell and tube heat exchanger.

STHEs are capable of providing a larger surface area.
STHEs can handle higher temperatures and pressures.
Turndown ratio is higher.
Approaching temperature of fluid stream is 5 c.

Q. What are plate heat exchanger?

A plate heat exchanger is a type of heat exchanger that uses metal plates to transfer
heat between two fluids.
 Advantage- approaching temperature of fluid stream is 2 c.

Q. What are the disadvantages of plate heat exchanger?

• Finding leakage is difficult since pressure test is not as ease as tube coolers.
• Bonding material between plates limits operating temperature of the cooler.
• Pressure drop caused by plate cooler is higher than tube cooler.
• Cannot be able to process viscous fluid.

Q. What are the type of heat exchanger generally used in industries?

Shell and tube type HX.

Q. What are air coolers?

Q. Where are air coolers used?

At the top of unit

Q. How air is transported in air coolers?

By using Blower

Q. How water is transported in water coolers?

Pump

Q. Types of air coolers and explain with help of diagram.

Q. Why we use more frequently air coolers than water coolers?

Q. What is approach?
Difference between temperature of out coming cold and hot streams.

Q. What is minimum approach fluid should have?

2

Q. What is overall heat transfer coefficient?

Q. How you calculate value of U?

Q. How will you design Heat Exchanger?

Q. What are parameters you need to have to design heat exchanger?

Processing fluid properties, heat transfer area, require capacity of HX, Tube and shell
diameter and length available in market.

Q. What is the most important thing you need to know in design of heat exchanger?
Fluid properties and heat transfer area
 Q. Design shell and tube heat exchanger.

Q. What are the assumptions of kerns method?

Q. Why we need correction factor in 1, 2 or 1, 4 shell and tube heat exchanger and not
in case of 1, 1 shell and tube heat exchanger?

Q. What is use of baffle?

To support the tube, to increase HTC of shell side

Q. What is baffle cut?

Q. What are types of baffle?

• Orifice Baffles.
• Single segmental.
• Double segmental.

Q. What is co-current, counter current and cross current flow?

Counter flow heat exchangers are inherently more efficient than parallel flow heat
exchangers because they create a more uniform temperature difference between the
fluids, over the entire length of the fluid path.

Q. Which is better between counter and co current flow and why?

Counter current flow

Q. Draw counter current temperature profile for 1, 2 shell and tube heat exchangers.

Q. Draw co-current temperature profile for 1, 2 shell and tube heat exchangers.

Q. What is cross temperature?

Temperature cross. The terms describe the scenario where the outlet temperature of the cold
fluid is higher than the outlet temperature of the hot fluid.

Q. How to avoid cross temperature?

Q. What is condenser?
In systems involving heat transfer, a condenser is a device or unit used to condense a gaseous
substance into a liquid state through cooling

Q. What are different types of condenser?

There are three types of condensers: air cooled, water cooled and evaporative.

Q. What is reboiler?
They boil the liquid from the bottom of a distillation column to generate vapors which are returned to
the column to drive the distillation separation.

Q. What are different types of reboiler?

Thermosiphon= Natural circulation reboiler
Kettle = forced circulation reboiler

Q. Selection of reboilers.

Q. What is evaporation?
Evaporation is a type of vaporization that occurs on the surface of a liquid as it changes into the gas
phase.

Q. Difference between evaporation and vaporization.

Q. What are different types of evaporators?

Q. What is boiling point elevation?

Q. What is forward feed, backward feed, parallel feed evaporators?

Q. When to go for forward feed evaporator.

Q. When to go for backward feed evaporator.

Q. What is fouling?
The fouling of heat exchangers may be defined as the accumulation of unwanted deposits
on heat transfer surfaces. The foulant layer imposes an additional resistance to heat
transfer and the narrowing of the flow area, due to the presence of deposit, results in an
increased velocity for a given volumetric flow rate

Q. Difference between fouling and corrosion.

Q. What are different types of fouling in heat exchanger?

Q. What is the procedure of removing fouling from heat exchanger?

1.