Part II-1

7.9 Theoretical Models for Mass Transfer

Mass transfer coefficients are viewed as convenient, lumped parameter to help

calculate mass transfer. Flow, especially turbulence & geometry makes
calculation difficult)
It is important to develop a theoretical understanding of mass transfer coefficients,
so as to predict their value in atypical situations
Model development for prediction of mass transfer coefficients:
o Not static, but rather dynamic, being adopted continuously as our
knowledge of fluid motion increase
We will explore 3 models: Film, Penetration, and Boundary Layer Theory (BL)

A. Film Theory

Originally proposed by Whitman (1923), based on convective heat transfer (roots

of the theory is based on Nernst (1904))
Basic assumption: For turbulent flow over a solid surface, the entire resistance to
mass transfer occurs in a stagnant film next to the surface

zF is the Effective film thickness

() and is dependent on the
relative ratio of 6 and DAB
It is also a function of time, but
can be viewed as an aggregate
average

# c%
=0
z #

All concentration change occurs in a region of , so thin that steady state is

immediately established.
z) |+,-.,/012 > z) |456715z) as if the thickness that provides the same resistance to mass transfer by
molecular diffusion
D%:
N% =
(c%= c%. )
(1)

c%= : Surface Concentration

D
c%@ : Bulk Concentration

: Effective Film Thickness

Part II-2

Film Theory Predicts that k DF D%:

In reality, k DF D1%: , where n~0.8-0.9
Film theory is simple, it gives a good first order approximation in the case of high
mass transfer flux, and in cases involving chemical reactions
If you could predict , you could estimate kc

B. Penetration Theory

Originally proposed by Higbie (1935) for transfer at gas-liquid interface

Short duration of mass transfer for fluid elements (small units of fluids)
Fluid elements make contact and then return (penetrate) into the bulk liquid (i.e
mother ship) same for all elements
Continuous replacement of fluid elements (to maintain mass balance)

Unsteady state mass balance on fluid element:

cA0: initial concentration of A in fluid

element (similar to bulk)
cA1: Concentration at x=0, interface
concentration
Let t 4 be average residence time
D%:

Where the boundary conditions are:

x=0; cA=cA1 (for all t)
x=; cA=cA0 (for all t)

# c% c%
=
x #
t

Part II-3

Initial condition: at t=0; cA=cA0 (for all x)

Solution:
c% c%@
= 1 erf
c%K c%@

(2)

4D%: t

And the instantaneous flux equation is

D%:
c c%@
t %K

N% |QR@ =

Equation (3) is obtained by using N% = D

is negligible.
To obtain

TFU
TQ

TFU
TQ

(3)

+ x% (N% + N: ), assuming x% (N% + N: )

, differentiate Equation (2), keep in mind the erf() function is defined as:
2

erf x =

(4)

eX2 dt

Substitute Equation (2) into Equation (3):

N% =

2[
@

N% |Q = 0 dt

1
t4

(5)

Integrate the flux over the time of contact (works better for short contact times):
N% =

4D%:
c c%@
t 4 %K
D

(6)

c%K : Concentration at point 1

c%@ : Concentration at point 2
: Effective Film Thickness
Predicts: D D%:

In this case, k DF D%: , the exponent on DAB is 0.5, this is lower than the
practical situation (n~0.8-0.9)
Under similar conditions (i.e flow rates and geometry, contact time) mass
transfer of 2 solutes will be proportional to D%:
An approach to obtain better match of the theory to practical situation, a
combination of film and penetration theories can be obtained so as to allow n to
range between 0.5 to 1.0.

Part II-4

Penetration theory works the best for low mass transfer rates (i.e, short contact
time, the heterogeneity in contact time kicks in and causes significant deviation
between the theory and practice
One assumption was that there is no velocity gradient in the fluid element, good
for gas-fluid interface, where the viscosity of element is far greater, and drag
forces does not cause a velocity gradient.
Another assumption was concentration in fluid element is c%@

The assumption requires that there is no

concentration gradient (impossible) or
little concentration gradient (practical)
This is the case for liquids

Example 7.2-1

Assuming a diffusivity of DAB = 110Xc m# /s , tL = 1 second and x~100m, find

(c% %@ )/(c%7 c%@ ) assuming cAi is 1000 and cA0 is 100.
Solutions:
erf

0.110Xb

= erf 1.58 = 0.97455

4 110Xc 1
c% c%@
= 1 0.97455 = 0.02545
c%7 c%@

Good assumption, initially steep concentration change, then almost no change

Part II-5

C. Boundary Layer Theory

Unlike penetration theory (where typically 2 fluid phases are considered

boundary theory is applicable to fluid flow over a solid surface.
Flow is visualized as a laminar flow, where the velocity profile is known. A
boundary exists between the bulk flow rate (i.e, rate uninfluenced by the
presence of the solid) and flow near the surface. To illustrate the point:

Same theory is applicable to momentum, heat and mass transfer, where the
boundary represents velocity, temperature, and concentration gradients
F : Boundary layer thickness
c%= : Solubility at the surface
c%m : Concentration at bulk

Lets start with the general convection diffusion equation (vm = 0)

v c% D%: # c% +
At steady state (

TFU
T2

c%
= R%
t

(7)

= 0), and no generation (RA=0):

v c% D%: # c% = 0

(8)

Then,
uQ

c%
c%
# c%
+ us
= D%:
x
y
y #

(9)

Assuming no diffusion in the x-direction (i.e, convective term dominates)

uQ

c%
c%
# c%
+ uu
= D%:
x
y
y #

(10)

Part II-6

By analogy:
Momentum Equation:
w
w # uQ
uQ
+ uu
=
x
y
y #

(11)

T
T
k # T
+ us
=
x
y C{ y #

(12)

Where: =viscosity; =density

Heat Transfer Equation:

uQ

Where: k=thermal conductivity; Cp=heat capacity

All 3 equations can be solved simultaneously, with appropriate boundary conditions:

Boundary
Condition
Keeping in mind
uQ us
+
=0
x
y
When N|F =

}
~

Momentum
uQ
um

Heat
T TK
T@ TK

Mass
c% c%|
c%@ c%|

At y=0

At y=

= 1, Blasius solution in convective heat transfer could be applied to

obtained laminar convective mass transfer:

The velocity gradient on the surface is given by:
uQ
y

sR@

um K#
= 0.332
N
x 0,Q

(13)

Reynolds Number is defined as:

xum

(14)

uQ
c% c%=
=
um c%m c%=

(15)

N0,Q =
Where x = position; um =average velocity
But from the boundary conditions,

Part II-7

Differentiating:
1 uQ
1

=
(c c%= )
um y
c%m c%= y %

(16)

Rearranging to solve for any point along y,

uQ
um
c%
=
y
c%m c%= y

(17)

At y=0,
0.332
c%
y

um K#
um
c%
N0,Q =
x
c%m c%= y
= (c%m c%= )
sR@

(18)
sR@

0.332 K#
N0,Q
x

(19)

For Dilute solutions, the convective term is neglected,

N% |sR@ = D%:

c%
y

sR@

0.332 K#
= D%: (c%m c%= )
N0,Q
x

(20)

0.332 K#
N0,Q
x

(21)

N% |sR@ = D%: (c%= c%m )

For NSc=1, kc is given by,
K

k DF = D%:

#
0.332N0,Q

; = 1

(22)

For situations where N|F 1, then boundary layer for momentum () and boundary
layer for concentration (c) can be related by:
K

b
= N|F
F

(23)

Then,
k DF = D%:

K
#
0.332N0,Q

b
N|F
; 1

(24)

Recall that NSc=/D%: , then DABs proportionality to kc is,

#

k DF Db

(25)

Part II-8

Note that all of the kc values generated are local mass transfer coefficients, since they
are calculated at a specific x. For global mass transfer coefficients:
K DF =

1
L

K
4 0.332D N b
%: |F

xum
dx

(26)

K
K
1
um @. 1
b
b
= 0.664D%: N|F
L = 0.664D%: N|F
N0
L

(27)

Comparison of different approaches to mass transfer:

Equation
Film Theory
Penetration Theory

D%:
(c%= c%. )

4D%:
N% =
c c%@
t 4 %K
N% =

kF
Proportionality
k DF D%:
k DF D@.
%:

Boundary Layer Theory

In reality; k DF D1%: , where

b
N% = 0.664D%: N|F
N0

0 < n < 0.9 and most cases,

0.5 < n < 0.9

#
D
k F Db%:

Part II-9

7.3A Summary of Dimensionless Numbers:

Reynolds Number: A measure of inertial to viscous forces. Depending on the geometry,
the Reynolds number defines the laminar, transition, and turbulent regimes of a flow.

N0 =

L u

(28)

Schmidt Number: A measure of hydrodynamic layer relative to mass transfer boundary

layer. Analogous to Prandtl No. in Heat Transfer

N|F =

D%:

(29)

Sherwood Number: A measure of the contribution of molecular diffusion to overall

mass transfer, Analogous to Nusselt Number in Heat Transfer

N|

: Density
LD: Characteristic Length
: Viscosity
: Diffusivity
kc: Mass transfer coefficient
u : Average velocity

k DF L
L
=
= k F y:

D%:
D%:

(30)

Part II-10

7.3B Experimental Determination of Mass Transfer Coefficients

1. Small-scale studies for understanding the process parameters on kc
2. Simulation of operational kc in a pre-plant setting
Wetted wall tower for kc

Variables to be measured include NA, A, yi, y

NA: Mass transferred/area

A: Surface Area in Contact (to be measured)
yi: Interfacial concentration
y: Bulk concentration
N% = k F (y7 y)
[NOT the difference between the
concentration of the bulk phases]

Turbulent flow in a tube

No boundary layer separation

No (minimal) ripple effect
If A is unknown, then calculate ka (mass
transfer coefficient based on volume)

Part II-11

Example 7.3-1

Stripping H2S from air is an important industrial process routinely used in

petrochemical industry. The process relies on the ability of a mass transfer process and
involves absorption of H2S from air in contact with flowing water. A wetted wall
apparatus is used to estimate the mass transfer coefficient to be used in this process.
Fresh water enters the apparatus at 1L/second and leaves the apparatus with H2S
concentration of 0.01 mol H2S/m3. The contact area between the air phase and flowing
liquid is 2m2 for the utilized apparatus.
Given that:
1. Inlet air contains 0.2mol% H2S
2. Equilibrium concentration of H2S in contact with water is 1mol H2S/m3 at this
H2S concentration in air, calculate kc
Assume that the concentration of H2S in the air phase is not changing to a significant
degree and that equilibrium is rapidly established as soon as the water enters the
apparatus
Solution:
To obtain kc, we need to calculate: kc=NA/(cinterface cbulk)
Rate of H2S transfer

= Flow rate(c,2/02 c71/02 )

= 110Xb

6
=0F

0.01 0 mol H# S/mb

= 1.010X mol H# S/sec

H2S flux (NA) = Mass transfer/surface area
= 1.010X / 2molH# S/sec m#
= 0.510X molH# S/sec m#
cinterface = 1mol H2S/m3
cbulk = 0.01 mol H2S/m3
Therefore, k F = N% /(c7120-5F0 c.,/ )
= 0.510X molH# S/sec m# / 1 0.01 mol H# S/mb
= 0.50510X m/s

7.3C Analogy Between Heat & Mass Transfer and Mass Transfer
Calculations

Revisit the dimensionless numbers from Equation 28 to 30

Part II-12

Chilton & Colburn J-Factor Analogy:

Most used analogy

Based upon experimental data for gases and liquids in laminar and turbulent flow
Used for calculating unknown coefficients when other factors are known
f
h
= J =
N
2
C{ G -

#
b

= J =

k DF
N
v% |F

#
b

(31)

Where vAv is the average velocity, and f is the Fanning Friction Factor
Fanning friction factor:

-5 -F0 {0- 0220 =,-5F0 5-05

Y
~
Y

For N0 < 2100 (Laminar):

f = 16/N0

(32)

For NRe > 2100 ,

f=

1 #
v
2

P R# v #
/(
)
2RL
2

(33)

Where: = = surface shear stress; = density; v = velocity; P = pressure drop;

R = radius; L = length
If we define the Stanton Number as:
k DF k Ds k D P
N|2 =
=
=
=. . (Table 7.2 1)
v
G6
G6
G6 =

(34)

v
= vc
m%

(35)

Then, it is evident that:

f
k DF
= J =
N
2
v =F

#
b

k D P
N
G6 =F

#
b

= N|2 N=F

#
b

(36)

Or
J =

f
=
2

N=
K

b
N0 N|F

(37)

How does this help? . If NRe is given, f can be found, then JD can be calculated and kc
determined!

Part II-13

Case Study 1: Mass Transfer for Flow Inside Pipes

For flow inside a pipe, the Reynolds number for Laminar and Turbulent flow are:
o Laminar flow: NRe <2100
o Turbulent flow: NRe > 2100
o Valid for both gas and liquids

Figure 7.3-2. Data for diffusion in a fluid in streamline flow inside a pipe: filled
circles, vaporization data of Gilliland and Sherwood; open circles, dissolvingsolids data of Linton and Sherwood. [From W. H. Linton and T. K. Sherwood,
Chem. Eng. Progr., 46, 258 (1950). With permission.]
Gases: Rodlike flow (No equation, must look in chart)
Liquids: Parabolic flow (Described by Equation (38))
c% c%@
W
= 5.5
c%7 c%@
D%: L

#
b

(38)

CA: Exit Concentration

CA0: Inlet Concentration
CAi: Interface concentration
DAB: Diffusivity
L: Length
W: Flow rate (kg/s)

VALID ONLY WHEN >

Part II-14

Turbulent Flow: (Gases and Liquids)

N| = k DF

D
k F p: D
Dv
=
= 0.023
D%:
P
D%:

@.b

D%:

@.bb

(39)

True for 0.6 <NSc<3000. (For gases, 0.5 to 3, for liquids > 100 ; common NSh)
Heat Transfer Equation:
N, =

} @.K
@.
0.027N0 N-

}

(40)

b bulk, w wall
Example 7.3-2
Pure water at 26.1C (=996kg/m3, =8.7110-4Pas) is flowing at a velocity of 0.0305 m/s in
a tube having an inside diameter of 6.35 mm. The tube is 1.829 m long, with the last 1.22 m
having the walls coated with benzoic acid. The solubility of benzoic acid in water is 0.02948
kgmol/m3. The diffusivity of benzoic acid in water is 1.24510-9 m2/s. Assuming that the
velocity profile is fully developed, calculate the average concentration of benzoic acid at the
outlet.

Solution:

First, we need to decide whether the flow is turbulent or laminar by finding NRe
N0 =

6.3510Xb 0.0305 996

8.7110X
= 221.4

Thus, the flow is laminar, then check the

parameter

U ~4

W = vAF =

6.35
4
10Xb # 996 0.0305
= 9.61610X kg/s

T=26.1C
D=6.35mm
DAB=1.24510-9m2/s
=996kg/m3
=8.7110-4Pas
V=0.0305 m/s
L=1.829m

Ac is the cross sectional area

Part II-15

W
9.61610X
=
= 634.4
D%: L 1.24510Xc 996 1.22

Since

U ~4

> 400, Equation (38) is valid to use,

c% c%@
= 5.5 634.4
c%7 c%@

c% 0
= 5.5 634.4
0.02948 0

#
b

#
b

Solving for cA,

c% = 2.19610Xb kgmol/mb

Case Study 2: Flow Past Parallel Plates

Gases or evaporation of liquid

For Laminar flow (NRe<15,000)
J = 0.664 N0,4

(41)

X@.

k DF L
= N| = 0.664 N0,4
D%:

@.

N|F

K
b

(42)

Also, J = for this geometry/laminar flow

#

For Turbulent flow:

o Gases: 15,000 < N0 < 300,000

X@.#
J = 0.036N0,4
=
2
o Liquids: 600 < N0 < 50,000
X@.
J = 0.99N0,4

(43)

(44)

Case Study 3: Flow Past Single Spheres

For Low Reynolds Number (<2):

2D%:
N% =
C%K C%# = k F (C%K C%# )
D{
o For Dilute systems (xBM~1)
k DF
= k F ; k F k DF
x:
Thus,

(45)

(46)

Part II-16

k DF D{
D%:
D
2
= k F N| =
= 2 (Minimum N| )
D{
D%:

For higher NRe:

o For Gases: When 0.6 < N|F < 2.7 and 1 < N0 < 48,000

N| = 2 +

@.b
0.552N0
N|F

(Natural Convective Effects Increases NSh)

o Liquids:
When 2 < N0 < 2000

@. b
N| = 2 + 0.95N0
N|F

When 2000 < N0 < 17000

N| =

K
@.# b
0.347N0 N|F

Example 7.3-3
A naphthalene sphere of 25.4mm diameter is suspended in air, which is flowing at 0.305m/s.
DAB is 6.9210X # / at 45C (=1.113 kg/m3, =1.9310-5Pas). The vapor pressure of
naphthalene is 0.555 mmHg. Calculate the mass transfer coefficient and the flux

Solutions:
Find the Reynolds Number to determine Laminar or Turbulent flow,
N0 =

25.410Xb 0.305 1.113

= 446
1.9310X

The applicable equation is Equation (47) and NSc is calculated by Equation (29).
N|F =

1.9310X
= 2.505
1.113 6.92 10X

N| = 2 + 0.552 446
We also know, N| =

@.b

2.505

K
b

= 21.0

; =
k DF D{ k DF 25.410Xb
21.0 =
=
D%:
6.9210X
k DF = 5.7210Xb m/s
N% = k DF C%K C%#

Where, cA1=Concentration on surface, cA2= Concentration Far away

(47)

(48)

(49)

Part II-17

It is given that pA1 = 0.555 mmHg, (0.555/760)(101300)=74Pa

N% = k DF c%K c%# = k D (p%K p%# )
Thus,
k =

5.7210Xb
kgmol
= 2.163 10Xc
8314 318
s m# Pa

Then,
N% = 2.163 10Xc 74 0 = 1.610X kgmol/sm#

Case Study 4: Mass Transfer for Packed Beds

Very common geometry; adsorption, desorption processes through solid particles

(gases and liquids), catalytic processes, very large surface area.

(void fraction) =

7 ={5F0
225/ ={5F0

7 ={5F0
7 ={5F0=/7 ={5F0

0.3 < < 0.5 Difficult to measure experimentally

For gases with 10 < N0 < 10,000 and liquids 10 < N0 < 1500
0.4548 X@.@c
J = J =
N0

o In the case, NRe is defined as:

N0 =

D{ v D

(50)

(51)

Dp is the particle diameter

v is the superficial velocity in the tube without packing, where it is defined as,
v = the volumetric flow rate per cross sectional area of tube
For Liquids:
o For 0.0016 < N0 < 55 and 165 < N|F < 70600
1.09 X#b
(52)
J =
N0

o For 55 < N0 < 1500 and 165 < N|F < 10690
1.1068 X@.#
J =
N0
(53)

For fluidized beds

o 10 < N-0 < 4000 (Gases and Liquids)
0.4548 X@.@c
(54)
J =
N0

o 1 < N0 < 10 (Liquids):

1.1068 X@.#
(55)
J =
N0

Part II-18

All of the above cases applies to situations where beads are spherical, if not spherical a
correction factor is applied:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Determine the surface area

Equate surface area to surface area of sphere
Calculate the D for the equivalent sphere
Use this D for above equation

Part II-19

For an operational column; typically, one knows , total volume (Vb), particle
diameter (Dp), i.e geometric variables known
One typically wants to calculate flux of an entity (or heat transfer rate), kc needs to be
obtained
Using JD expressions given for the packed beds, JD is calculated, and then used to
obtain kc
One also needs to obtain an effective area

Define surface area per unit bed volume (m2/m3), a

a=

KX

and A = aV. ; where V. is volume of bed

(56)

To calculate mass transfer rate, the log-mean driving force should be used
A N% =

k F c%7 c%K c%7 c%#

A
c c%K
ln %7
c%7 c%#

Where A is the total area, cAi is the concentration on solid surface,

cA1 is the inlet bulk concentration, cA2 outlet concentration.

(57)

Part II-20

Analogy to mass transfer of A diffusing through stagnant, non-diffusing B,

In this case: N% = k F (c%K c%# )

Average driving force is the log mean of the concentration difference

Finally, the overall material balance is given by:
N% A = V(C%# C%K )
Where, V is the volumetric flow rate
Both Equation 57 and 58 MUST BE SATISFIED

(58)

Example 7.3-4
Pure air at 45C and 1atm flow at 5.510X b / through a packed bed of naphthalene
spheres with a diameter of 14.8mm. (=0.37). The tower diameter is 0.067m, height is 1m.
DAB is given as 6.9210X # / .The partial pressure of naphthalene is 74Pa. Given =1.114
kg/m3, =1.9310-5 Pas. Calculate kG and partial pressure of naphthalene at the top of the
column.

Solutions:
To obtain kG, we need to obtain kc.
To obtain kc, we need to obtain JD, with the given NRe, NSc
5.510X
vD =
= 0.0156m/s
0.067 #
4
Then, NRe is,
D
14.810Xb 1.114 0.01560
= N0 =
= 13.3

1.9310X
And,

1.9310X
N|F =
=
= 2.5
D%: 1.114 6.9310X
Then,
0.4548 X@.@c
0.4548
J =
N0
=(
) 13.3X@.@c
= 0.429

0.37
Finding kc,
#
#
k DF
k DF
b
J = D N=F 0.429 =
2.5 b
v
0.0156
Solving,
k DF = 3.610Xb m/s

Part II-21

Assume dilute solution (this is expected because the system is at 1atm, but cAi is only
74Pa, i.e yA=0.07%)
If dilute: kc~kc
kF
3.610Xb
kmol
k =
=
= 1.3610Xc #

RT 8314 318
m s Pa
To obtain PA2, we need to obtain cA2, we have 2 independent equations to solve for cA2.
V c%# = k F
Simplifying,

c%7 c%7 c%#

A
ln ( c%7 / c%7 c%# )

c%7 c%K
=e
c%7 c%#

Solving for cA2,

c%# = c%7 (c%7 c%K )eX

It is known, cA1=0 (pure air as the inlet)
c%# = c%7 c%7 eX
A=

6 1 0.37
0.067
14.810Xb 4
X

= 0.9m#

b.K@ @.c

.K@

c%# = c%7 c%7 e

c%# = c%7 c%7 eX-05//s .7 1,6.0-
Thus,
And

c%# = c%7
p%# = p%7 = 74Pa

What does this tell us about our system? It is saturated.

10.4 Interface Transport

Our discussion so far was centered on mass transport in one phase, i.e. an
interfacial or boundary concentration that leads to transport in that phase

Part II-22

Real-world applications are mass transfer between 2 phases (e.g. gas and liquid).
Examples include distillation, absorption processes.
Two phases are typically in contact with each other. Surface area or area through
which mass transfer occurs is ill defined. Each phase exhibits a concentration gradient
(transport) and, at the interface of 2 phase equilibrium exists.

Consider the equilibrium reached for SO2 between air and water (Appendix A.3 contains
information for other systems)

Equilibrium plot for SO2Water system at 293 K (20C)

Diffusion Between Phases:

Imagine transfer of A (solute) from one of the phases (e.g gas) to the other (e.g liquid).
There is usually a discontinuity in the concentration of A at the interface. We will
assume that there is no resistance to mass transfer at the interface and that the
transport barrier (resistances) reside in the fluid phase itself
xAi and yAi are dictated by
the equilibrium
relationship
yAi = f(xAi), e.g Henrys Law
Note: Bulk concentrations
Are not the driving force!!
Bulk concentrations
cannot predict the nature
of the mass transfer!

Lets look at a gas absorption case: NH3 transferring from the air to water

Part II-23

Initial situation: Liquid phase with xAL

x%4 &y% away from the

equilibrium point

Gas phase with yAG

Equilibrium Relationship
Assuming phases are stationary,
Mass transfer in gas phase:
N% = k s (y% y%7 )
Mass transfer in liquid phase:
N% = k Q (%7 x%4 )

In the absence of accumulation of interface (steady-state):

N% = ky (yAG yAi ) = kx (xAi xAL )
y% y%7
kQ
= (Slope of line from P m)
x%4 x%7
ks
If y% , x%4 is given, one can calculate y%7 , x%7 provided that:
1. k Q and k s are known
2. y7 = f(x7 ) is given

(59)
(60)

Part II-24

Example 10.4-1
A solute is being absorbed from a gas mixture of A and B in a wetted-wall tower, with the
liquid flowing downward. At a certain point in the tower, the bulk gas concentration of A is
yAG =0.380 mol fraction and the bulk liquid fraction is xAL=0.100. the tower is operating at
298K/1 atm. Equilibrium data is shown below:
xA
0.00
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35

yA
0
0.022
0.052
0.087
0.131
0.187
0.265
0.385

The film transfer coefficients for A in the gas

phase is ky=1.465 *10-3 kgmol/sm2. For the liquid
phase, kx = 1.967*10-3 kgmol/sm2
Calculate the interface concentrations yAi and xAi.
Hint: For Dilute Solutions,
ky=ky and kx =kx

Equilibrium Relationship

0,45
0,4

1.343 =

0,35

w

u

0,3

yA

0,25
0,2
0,15
0,1
0,05
0
0,00

0,05

0,10

0,15

0,20

0,25

xA
Solution:
Slope = -kx/ky=-1.967/1.465=-1.343

(xAi,yAi)=(0.246,0.180)

0,30

0,35

Part II-25

Flux: = u = 1.4610Xb

0.38 0.18 = 0.2910Xb

10.4D Local Overall Mass Transfer Coefficients

Technical challenge: determination of xAi and yAi (otherwise flux can be calculated
with ease)
Knowledge of kx,ky, and yi=f(xi) allows us to find xAi and yAi
Local overall mass transfer coefficient: Convenience for these calculations

Figure 10.4-2. Concentration driving forces and interface concentrations in

interphase mass transfer
N% = K s (y% y% )

(61)

N% = K Q (x% x%4 )

(62)

y% y% = y% y%7 + y%7 y% = y% y%7 + m(x%7 x%4 )

(63)

Along the same lines,

From Figure 10.4-2,

Solving for m,
y%7 y%
m =
x%7 x%4
D

But, y% y%7 =
Also, y% y% =

and x%7 x%4 =

(64)
(65)

(66)

Substituting Equation (65) and (66) into Equation (63), we get

N% N%
N%
=
+ mD
Ks
kQ
kQ

(67)

Part II-26

Equation (67) can be rewritten as

1
1
1
=
+ mD
Ks ks
kQ

(68)

1
1
1
=
+
K Q mk s k Q

(69)

Similarly,

Where
mDD =

y% y%7
x% x%7

Equation (69) can be viewed as sum of resistances,

Total Resistance =

Resistances

1
1
1
=
or
Ks
ks
kQ
Lets consider 2 special cases:
m is small
Solute is soluble (very) in liquid

1
1
1
=
+ mD ; Minor Contribution
Ks ks
kQ

1
1
=
Ks ks
Resistance in gas phase
To facilitate mass transfer
manipulated ky

m is large
Solute is sparingly soluble in liquid

1
1
1
=
+ ; Minor Contribution
K Q mk s k Q

1
1
=
KQ kQ
Resistance in liquid phase
To facilitate mass transfer
manipulated kx

(70)