ABSTRACT

The Gaseous Diffusion Coefficient Apparatus was being customized for the
experiment to determine gas diffusion coefficient of acetone using the established
Winkelmanns method and also can determine the correlation between partial pressure and
concentration using Antoine equation. Mass transfer was placed in this experiment where
molecules of a species move from a region of higher concentration to the lower concentration
region. The experiment was started to set temperature controller to 50oC and must not beyond
to 70oC as the boiling point of acetone was 56.2C and the water in the bath be heated up to
maintain the temperature otherwise the high temperature will increase the pressure and
increase the diffusivity. The capillary was filled with acetone about 30mm depth and was
inserted through the fitting on the top of the water bath cover. Then, observed the initial level
of acetone through the telescope. The pump was connected to the capillary tube to overcome
the diffusivity of acetone quickly. In order to determine gas diffusion coefficient, the different
between the levels of acetone observed every 30 minutes. In order to determine the diffusivity
coefficient of acetone, the graph was plotted to show the relationship between the length
differences of acetone and time per length differences of acetone to get the slope of the graph
which was 0.0517 ks/mm2. Next, the R2 value was get from the graph which was 0.1149.
Thus, the value of diffusivity coefficient of acetone was 2.6532 X 10-6 m2/s.

1
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Abstract..1

Table of Contents.......2

1.1 Introduction.3

1.2 Objectives..4

1.3 Theory. .4-6

1.4 Diagram and Description of Apparatus...7-9

1.5 Experimental Procedures.10-12

1.6 Results and Discussion....12-14

1.7 Sample Calculations....15-17

1.8 Conclusion and Recommendation......17-18

1.9 References......18

1.10 Appendices....19

2
1.1 INTRODUCTION

It is a matter of common experience that the molecules of a species move from a region

higher concentration tending to make the concentration in the medium uniform. Thus, the

smell of petrol is felt when car is being fuelled is the phenomenon called diffusion. The

transport of molecules from higher concentration to a lower concentration in a turbulent

medium the phenomenon called eddy diffusion or turbulent diffusion [1].

The knowledge of a certain material in physical and chemical properties is important because

always the process engineering deal with the transformation and distribution of these

materials. For example is diffusivity. Mass transfer by diffusion is takes place when there is a

concentration gradient of the diffusing component.

The Gaseous Diffusion Coefficient apparatus (Model : BP 10) has been designed for students

experiment on the technique of determining diffusivity of the vapour of a volatile liquid based

on established Winkelmanns method. In this method the volatile liquid is allowed to

evaporate in a vertical glass tube over the top which a stream of vapour-free gas is passed. A

water bath is provided for maintaining a steady temperature so that there is no eddy current in

the vertical tube and mass transfer takes place from the surface by molecular diffusion alone.

Moreover, the temperature cannot be exceed 70C because boiling point of acetone is 56.2C,

and acetone is flammable substances. Thus if the temperature is exceed 70C the acetone may

start a small fire. The rate of evaporation can be followed by the rate of fall of the liquid

surface. With the knowledge of the concentration gradient, the diffusivity of the vapour of the

volatile liquid can then be calculated.

3
1.2 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this experiment is to determine the gas diffusion coefficient of acetone

using the established Winkelmanns method

1.3 THEORY

In another processes, one component in a gaseous mixture will be transported relative to a

fixed plane (liquid interface) and the other will undergo no net movement. In gas absorption,

soleble gas A will transferred to the liquid surface where it dissolves, whereas the insoluble

gas B will undergo no net movement with respect to the interface. In evaporation from a free

surface, the vapour will move away from the surface the air will have not net movement [2].

When a concentration gradient exits within a fluid consisting of two or more components ,

there is a tendency for each constituent to flow in such direction as to reduce the

concentration gradient. This is called mass transfer. Mass transfer takes place in either a gas

phase or a liquid phase or in both simultaneously.

The mass transfer will takes place from the surface by molecular diffusion when the liquid is

allowed to evaporate in a narrow vertical tube and the steady temperature is maintained. This

is one of technique to developed by Winkelmann to determine the diffusivity of the vapour af

a volatile liquid. By monitoring the evaporation rate, which is the rate of fall of liquid surface,

and with the knowledge of concentration gradient, one may the calculate the diffusivity.

4
The rate of mass transfer is given by,

= ( ) ( ) (1)

Where, D = diffusity[2 /]

= saturation concentration at interface [ ]
3

L = effective distance of mass transfer []

= total molar concentration [/3 ]

= logarithmic mean value of [/3 ]

= + (2)

= + (3)

= 1 + 1 (4)

= 2 + 2 (5)

1 2
= ( ) (6)
ln( 1 )
2

Considering the evaporation of the liquid :

= ( ) (7)

Where, = density of liquid [/3 ]

5
 M = molecular weight [/]

Combining equations (1) and (7) we get,

( ) = ( ) ( )

Rearranging Equation (1) and (7)

[ ] [ ] = (8)

Integrating and putting L = 0 at t = 0

1 1
[ ] [ ] 0 = 0 (9)

2
[ ] [ ] [ ] = [ 2 ] (10)

Putting L = 0 at t = 0

[ ] [ ] (1 0 ) = 21 20 (11)

2
[ ] [ ] = ( 0 )( + 0 ) (12)

2
[ ] [ ] = ( 0 )( 0 + 20 ) (13)

(0 )
= [2 ] [
] ( 0 ) + [ ] 0 (14)

A plot t/ (L 0 ) against (L 0 ) will give a slope s:

s = (2 ) ( )

6
1.4 DIAGRAM AND DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS

DIAGRAM
2
1 3

6
Figure 1(a) : Diagram for diffusion coefficient apparatus

1. Level Switch LS1

2. T-Tube
3. Water Bath Tank
4. RTD Sensor TIC01
5. Heater W1
6. Air Pump
7. Valve V1
8. Telescope

7
 8

Figure 1(b) : Diagram for diffusion coefficient apparatus

8
 DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS

The apparatus that was used in this experiment was BP 10. It was had been designed for

bench mounting on a film level surface. It also only required connected to a single-phase

240VAC electrical supplied. In addition, BP 10 only required the user to connected the glass

capillary tube to the air supply line used the tubing provided. It also supplied with most of the

components pre-installed. The BP 10 consists of these main components. Firstly, constant

temperature water bath which were consists rectangular water tank, cartridge heater W1 with

power 2 x 500 watts, RTD temperature sensor TIC01, temperature controller TIC01 and level

switch. For the second, Capillary Tube in T-shape vertical tube with thickness and height

were 1.2 mm and 100 mm respectively. Lastly, Aquarium air pump and travelling telescope

were components for BP 10.

9
1.5 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

General Start-up Procedure

Students were advised to performed the following start-up procedure, prior to running an

experiment.

1. The water bath was filled with clean (preferably filtered) water to approximately 20

mm from top.

2. Main cable was plugged to the electrical supply. Be sure that the voltage of the supply

was corrected to suited the equipment.

3. The main power on the control panel was switched on.

4. The set-point value on the temperature controller was adjusted to 50 C. Warning! Do

not set the temperature controller beyond 70 C.

5. The heater was switched on. The water temperature heated up to 50 C was observed

and remains constant.

6. The equipment was ready for student experiment.

Priming Procedure for Capillary Tube

Students were advised to cleaned the inside of the tube, before using the capillary tube in an

experiment using acetone.

1. A weak solution of detergent was prepared.

2. Hirschman pipette was used to filled the tube with the solution. If the solution was

trapped and does not flowed down, the outside of the tube may be tapped in necessary.

3. The tube upside-down were turned and shook. The tube was empty.

4. Steps 2 and 3 were repeated with acetone.

5. The tube was ready for student experimen

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General Shut-down Procedure

Students were advised to shut down the equipment as followed, after the completion of an

experiment.

1. The heater and air pump were switched off.

2. The set-point value of the temperature controller was adjusted to approximately 5

degree below the room temperature.

3. The water was allowed to cool down until it was safe to touched. The drain valve was

opened and the tank was empty.

4. The flexible tubing was detached and the capillary tube was cleaned for next use.

(Refer to priming procedure)

5. The main power was switched off. If the equipment will not be used for a long period,

the main cable was unplugged.

PROCEDURES

1. The start-up procedure as outlined in section 4.0 was performed.

2. The capillary tube was partially filled with acetone to a depth of about 30 mm.

3. The capillary tube was inserted carefully through the fitting on top of the water bath

cover. Do not over-tighten the fitting.

4. The initial level of acetone was observed through the telescope. If the acetone level

cannot be observed by using telescope, increased the tank water level.

5. The flexible tubing from air pump line was connected to one end of the capillary tube.

The air pump was switched on.

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 6. The air pump was switched off, after 30 minutes. The level of acetone were observed

and recorded. Note : Before collecting the result, make sure there was no

condensation occurs in the tube.

7. Steps 4 and 6 were repeated at 30 minutes intervals.

1.6 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Time, t Level of acetone, L L L , dL t/dL

(min) (mm) (mm) (ks/mm)
0 48.2 0 0
30 46.3 1.9 0.95
60 45.7 2.5 1.44
90 41.7 6.5 0.83
120 40.0 8.2 0.89
Table 1: The level of acetone and the time taken

t/dL (ks/mm) vs L-Lo (mm)

1.6
1.4
1.2
y = 0.0517x + 0.6245
t/dL(ks/mm)

1 R = 0.1149
0.8
t/dL (ks/mm)
0.6
Linear (t/dL (ks/mm))
0.4
0.2
0
0 2 4 6 8 10
L-Lo (mm)

Figure 3: The graph of t/dL Vs L-Lo

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From figure 1,The slope or gradient of the graph = 0.0517 ks/mm2

From the sample calculation, the diffusivity of acetone is 2.6532 X 10-6 m2/s

R2 is 0.1149

DISCUSSION

The objective of the experiment is to determine gas diffusion of acetone using the

established Winkelmanns method. The graph showed that the shape of the graph was not

constantly increase. It started to decrease at the third point on the graph until the experiment

were finished. Although the different between them are small but it affected the experimental

value of the experiment. The R2 value and linear equation were showed on the Figure 1. From

the value of R2, that is 0.1149, it showed that the result of the experiment was not good. The

experiment was good when the value of R2 is nearer to 1. When the R2 is equal to 0.1149, it

means that the efficiency of the experiment was 11.49% which is less than 50%, which had

very low efficiency.

The concentration of CA, CB and CT were calculated using the Antoines equation.

Antoines equation was used to calculate the partial pressure of acetone, PA and from the

partial pressure of acetone, the CA can be calculated by using, = formula. From

the equation it showed that the Antoines equation has the correlation between the partial

13
pressure and concentration. The Antoines equation was used to calculate the partial pressure

and the concentration of acetone.

The temperature of the controller is set to 50 C and could not be set beyond 70 C

because the boiling point of acetone is 56.2C and characteristic of acetone is highly

flammable substance. It may cause fire and explosion if the temperature was set higher than

the boiling point, which may lead to an accident in the lab. The higher the temperature the

higher the explosion will be. Water bath was also used for the same reason, to avoid the

acetone from direct heating. The presence of water in the tank allowed the temperature evenly

mixed with the water before reach to acetone. Thus, the temperature that reached acetone

should be less than the temperature that was set up on the temperature controller.

From the data obtained, there were discrepancies from the experiment data. The shape

of the graph in this experiment does not follow the experimental datas shape. The graph for

the experimental datas should be increasing until the end of the experiment but according to

figure 1, it showed that the trend consists of increasing and decreasing points. The different

trend caused the different in diffusivity value. The linear equation, slope and the R 2 are

different from the experimental datas. All of the different may came from the error while

reading the length of acetone in the capillary tube. The solutions or steps to increase the

efficiency of the experiment may discuss in recommendation section.

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1.7 SAMPLE OF CALCULATION

Calculation of L at time 30minutes:

L = L - Lo
= 48.2mm 46.3mm
= 1.9 mm
Calculation of t/L at time 30minutes:
60 ks
t 30 min (1) (1000s)
=
L 1.9 mm
= 0.95 ks/mm

In order to calculate the diffusivity, D, (CA, CT, CBM, and s) must be finding first.

Calculation of CT :

Pv = nRT

PT n
= = CT
RT V
1.01325 105
CT =
Pa
(8.314 m3 . ) (50 + 273)K
mol. K
CT = 37.7315 mol/m3 0.03773 kmol/m3

Calculation of CA :
2
CA =

log PA2 = A - +

where, A= 7.11714, B = 1210.595, C = 229.664

1210.595
log PA2 = 7.11714
50 + 229.664
log PA2 = 2.78839
1.01325 105 Pa
PA2 = 614.3134 mmHg ( )
760 mmHg

PA2 = 81901.72 Pa 81.901 kPa

2
CA2 =
81.901
C2 =

(8.314 3 . 323)
.

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 CA2 = 30.4986 mol/m3 0.0304986 kmol/m3
PA1
CA1 =
RT
0.2497 kPa
=
m3 . kPa
(8.314 ) (273K)
kg. mol. K
= 1.084 104 kgmol/m3

CA = CA1 CA2

= 1.084 104 kgmol/m3 - 0.0304986 kmol/m3

= 0.030607 kgmol/m3

Calculation of CBM :

CB2 = CT CA2

= 0.03773 kmol/m3 - 0.0304986 kmol/m3

= 0.00723 kgmol/m3

CB1 = CT CA1

= 0.03773 kmol/m3 - 1.084 104 kgmol/m3

= 0.03762 kgmol/m3
CB1 CB2
CBM =
C
ln CB1
B2

kgmol
0.03762 0.00723 kgmol/m3
= m3

0.03762
ln ( 3 )

0.00723
3
= 0.0184 kgmol/m3

Conversion unit for the slope, s :

Slope from the graph,s = 0.0517 ks/mm2

0.0517 ks 106 mm2 103 s

= 51700000s/m2
mm2 1m2 ks

Calculation of diffusivity, D :
L CBM
D=
2MCA CT s

16
 1000kg/m3 0.0184 kgmol/m3
=
kg kgmol kmol
2 (58.08 ) (0.030607 3 ) (0.03773 m3 ) (51700000s/m2 )
kmol m
= 2.653210-6 m2/s #

Where M of acetone is 58.08kg/kmol

1.8 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

CONCLUSION

According to the objectives, the experiment was conducted to determine the gas diffusion

coefficient of acetone using the established Winkelmanns method. In order to explain the

objective, the graph of t/dL against L-Lo was plotted as shown in Figure 3 to get the slope of

the graph which is 0.0517 ks/mm2 thus, the value of diffusivity coefficient of acetone was

determined which is 2.6532 X 10-6 m2/s. According to the value of R2 that was got in this

experiment which is 0.1149 where it was not impressive because it is better when the value is

close to 1 and also more efficiency. In the early of experiment the value was increased and

decreased at the end period of the time. According to the theory, the graph must be gradually

increased as the level of acetone in Stefan tube drops very slowly over the period of time. In

other words, the better the diffusivity is when the better the graph increased gradually. Thus,

the objective was achieved but it is still not successful because of the shape of the graph

plotted was not achieved the theory due to the high error occurred in this experiment.

17
 RECOMMENDATIONS

1. In order to reduce the error while conducting the experiment, the level drops of

acetone must be taken quickly without switched off the air pump or switched off the pump in

short period. This is because the acetone is continuously diffuse into the water as the

temperature increase.

2. In other way, while reading the level of acetone in the tube through the telescope, it is

supposed to be only one person take the reading. The different person will affect the way to

use the telescope due to the different sight.

3. The temperature should be in monitor along the experiment was conducted to make

sure the temperature is constant and not away off from the 50oC as to constant the pressure.

1.9 REFERENCES

[1] Binay K. Dutta. (2007). Principles of Mass Transfer and Separation Processes. . Asoka K.

Ghosh, Prentice-Hall of India Private Limited, Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium. New Delhi. Page

321-327

[2] Coulson, J.M, Richardson, J.F. (1996). Chemical Engineering, 5th ed. Great Britain.

Butterworth Heinemann, pp.485

[3] ] Noorzalila M.Niza., (2011). Chemical Engineering Laboratory Manual, Gaseous

Diffusion Coefficient, Pulau Pinang, UiTM Permatang Pauh, pp 15-23

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APPENDICES

19