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CURTIN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

ChE 321 & ChE 516 Mass Transfer Operations

Test 1, 9th April 2009
Duration: 1h & 30 min Total Marks: 50

Assume suitable data with proper justification if data are missing. Begin EACH
answer on a new page. All questions carry equal marks. Right side indicates
marks. Given various FORMULA as Appendix. All symbols have their usual
meaning. Total number of pages including Appendix is 7.
Answer TWO out of THREE Questions

Q1:
(a) In a mass transfer apparatus , operating at 1.0 atmosphere, the individual mass
transfer coefficients have the following values

kx = 22 kg mol/m2 h (∆x =1)

ky = 1.07 kg mol/m2 h (∆y =1)
The equilibrium compositions of the gaseous and liquid phases are
characterized by Henry’s law such as

p* = 0.08 X 106 x mm Hg

(i) Determine the overall mass transfer coefficients Kx and Ky

[7 marks]

(ii) How many times the diffusion resistance of the liquid phase differs
From that of the gaseous phase

[5 marks]

(b) Ammonia (A) diffuses through a stagnant layer of air (B), 1.0 cm thickness
at 25 0C and 1.0 atm total pressure. The partial pressure of ammonia on the
two sides of the air layer are pA0 = 0.9 atm and pAl = 0.1 atm respectively.
Air is non-diffusing. Calculate:

(i) The molar flux of ammonia.

[6 marks]
(ii) The molar and the mass average velocities of the components
(Basically velocities of the individual components with respect to a
stationary observer)
Given: DAB = 0.214 cm2 /s, R= 82.1 (cm3) (atm) / (K) (g mole). Molecular
Weight of ammonia = 17 and that of air = 29.
[7 marks]
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Q2:

(a) A feed mixture of A and B (45 mole % A and 55 mole % B) is to be

separated into top product containing 96 mole % A and a bottom product
having 95 mole % B. The feed is 50 % vapour and the reflux ration is 1.5
times the minimum. Given: αAB = 2.8

(i) The minimum reflux ratio.

[7 marks]
(ii) The number of ideal trays required and the location of the feed
tray.
[10marks]

(b) Give a sketch only for “Two Resistance Model” in interphase mass
transfer
[4 marks]

© Differentiate between “Raoult’s Law” and “Henry’s Law”

[4 marks]

Q3:
(a) In a certain equipment used for the absorption of SO2 from air by water, at
one section, the gas and liquid phase concentrations of the solute are 10
mole% and 4 mass% respectively (Molecular weight of SO2 = 64 and H2O
= 18).At the given temperature (40 0C) and pressure (10 atm), the
distribution of the SO2 between air and water can be approximately
described as:
PA = 25 xA, where pA is the partial pressure of SO2 in the gas phase in atm.
The individual mass transfer coefficients are:
Kx = 10 kmol/(h)(m2)(∆x) and ky = 8 kmole/(h)(m2)(∆y).
Calculate:

(i) The overall coefficient, KG in kmol/(h)(m2)(∆P, mm Hg)

[5 marks]

(ii) xAi and pAi at the gas-liquid interface

[5 marks]
(b) Explain Penetration Theory in mass transfer
[5 marks]
© A mixture of benzene and toluene containing 58 mole % benzene is to be
separated in a continuous column operating at 1 atm total pressure. Draw the
feed line for the following feed conditions:
(i) Saturated vapour
(ii) 65 mass% vapour
[3x2 marks]
(d) Select some process parameters which have strong effect on product quality
during distillation operation.
[4marks]
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APPENDIX (Formula Sheet) ALL Formula may not be required

Chapter: Molecular Diffusion & Convective Diffusion

Equimolar Counterdiffusion
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CONVECTIVE MASS Transfer

X = x/(1-x)
Y = y/(1-y)
Chapter: Interphase Mass Transfer
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Chapter: VLE & Distillation

∆ = L - V; ∆x∆ = Lx - Vy
 Q
HD −  hF + 
B y D − zF  F
− = =
D xB − z F  Q 
hB −  hF + 
 F

Ln V y − L0 x0
yn +1 = xn + 1 1
Vn +1 Vn +1
Ln D
yn +1 = xn + xD
Ln + D Ln + D
Lm B
ym+1 = xm − xB
Lm − B Lm − B

L V −D
RD = =
D D
L y − y
= n+1 1

V x n − xo
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Feed Type q slope

Cold Feed >1 >1
Saturated Liquid 1 infinite
Mixed V-L >0 & <1 <0
Saturated Vapour 0 0
Superheated Vapour <0 >0 & <1

−q xF
y= x+
1− q 1− q
slope of the feed line = -q/(1-q)
y-intercept = xD/(RD+1)

QC + D ⋅ H D QC
′ =
QCD = + HD
D D
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