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CHE 4341/16 Oct. 26, 2016

Assignment #5
1. A junction in silicon is made by doping it with boron. This is done by first depositing a
layer of boron on the chip (pre-deposition), followed by what is termed “ drive-in
diffusion”. If the deposition step requires 5 min., at what distance from the surface is the
concentration of boron in silicon raised to 3x1018 atoms/cm3 during this interval? The
density of pure boron is 5.1x1020 atoms/cm3, and its diffusivity in silicon is 1.6x10-17 m2/s.

Mass transfer and separation processes : principles and applications

Question 4.7

2. A tablet of 1.5 cm in diameter and 1.5 mm thick contains a drug that is released in the
body. The drug is enclosed in a polymer matrix and has a diffusion coefficient of 6x10-11
m2/ s in the polymer phase at 37 oC.
a) Estimate (by calculation) the time for 90% release of the drug.
b) If the initial concentration of the drug is 5 mg/cm3, calculate the amount of the
drug in mg corresponding to 90% release.

3. A spherical ball of clay, 5 cm in diameter, has an initial moisture content of 10 wt%. The
diffusivity of water in the clay is 5 x 10-6 cm2/s. At time t = 0, the surface of the clay is
brought into contact with air such that the moisture content at the surface is maintained at
3 wt%. Estimate the time for the average moisture content in the sphere to drop to 5 wt
%. All moisture contents are on a dry basis.

4. a)

Question 4a: A drug capsule consists of a 0.65 cm-diameter spherical bead containing a
uniform initial concentration of 68.9 mg/cm3 Dramamine. What is the residual
concentration of Dramamine at the centre of the spherical bead after 36 hours?

The diffusion coefficient of Dramamine in the gel matrix is 310-11 m2/s at a body
temperature of 37°C. Initial concentration of Dramamine is 68.9 mg/cm3 Assume
negligible concentration of Dramamine at the surface of the bead.
Use both analytical and graphical solutions and compare the results

c) The capsule is now a cube 0.652 cm on a side. Recalculate part (a) above.
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c) The capsule is now a cylindrical tablet of diameter 0.652 cm and thickness 0.3 cm.
Recalculate part (a) above.

For parts b) and c) use graphical solutions only.

Which of the capsule geometries is most efficient in the drug delivery?

Title: Fundamentals of Momentum, Heat and Mass Transfer Volume:

Author(s): James Welty, Charles E. Wicks, Gregory L. Rorrer, Robert E. Wilson

5. Do problem 7.5-7 from the text.

Due date: November 02, 4:00 pm