CCB/CBB 3033

ADVANCED TRANSPORT
PROCESSES /
TRANSPORT PHENOMENA
5. Mass Transport
Lesson 24: Introduction to Mass Transport

Course Outcomes
CLO Explain the theoretical aspect of
1
momentum,
mass
and
energy
transport
CLO Apply
mathematical
and
numerical
2
methodology in analyzing momentum
transfer problem
CLO Apply
mathematical
and
numerical
3
methodology in analyzing heat transfer
problem
CLO Apply
mathematical
and
numerical
4
methodology in analyzing mass transfer
problem
CLO Analyze and solve transport phenomena
5
using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Semester May
2013

Lesson outcomes
At the end of the lesson the student should be able to
Lesson 24. Introduction to Mass transport

Explain the principle of mass transfer.

Formulate the Concentration distribution for diffusion

through stagnant gas film.

Overview
Molecular transport/diffusion is the movement of
individual molecules through fluid by means of
random motion of the molecules. (random-walk
process)

Overview
Modes of mass transfer:
1. Diffusion
a. Molecular diffusion
b. Knudsen diffusion. ( gas )
2. Convection.
Diffusion is more complicated than viscous flow or heat
conduction because we deal with mixtures( more than one
component)

Mass Transport Equation Ficks Law

How a steady state concentration profile
for the diffusion of helium (A) through
fused silica (B) builds. The symbol A
stands for the mass fraction of helium,
and A0 is the solubility of helium in
fused silica.

Mass Transport Equation Ficks Law

At steady state

A0 0
A
Y
d A
j Ay DAB
dy
j A D AB A

wAy

DAB

Ficks first law of diffusion

wAy The mass flow of A in positive y direction

A Mass fraction of helium, A0 Solubility of helium in

fused silica, Mass concentration
jAy The molecular mass flux of helium in positive y direction
DAB The diffusivity of silica-helium system
Divergence, div

x y z

Diffusivity, DAB
Gas Pairs

Diffusivity, DAB
Liquid Mixture

Diffusivity, DAB
Solid

Ficks law of diffusion for binary mixtures

The basic equation for Ficks law for an isobaric and
isothermal system is :

j Ay DAB

d A
dy

A = the mass fraction of A

jAy [=] kg/m2s Molecular (diffusive) mass flux in y
direction
DAB[=] m2/s.. Diffusivity

11

Molar & Mass Flux

The previously discussed Ficks Law of diffusion
was given in terms of mass units, in general:
when chemical reactions are involved, molar units
are preferred
When the diffusion equations are solved together
with the equation of motion, mass units are usually
preferred.

Therefore it is necessary to be familiar with both

12

Molar & Mass Flux

The mass concentration is defined as the mass of

species per unit volume of solution

m

V

The mass fraction is defined as the mass of species

per unit volume of the solution divided by the total
mass of all species per unit volume of solution.

The mass flux

j Ay DAB

d A
dy
13

Molar & Mass Flux

The molar concentration c is defined as the number of
moles of species per unit volume of solution.

c
M

M molecular weight

The molar fraction x is defined as the number of moles of

species per unit volume of solution divided by the total
number of moles of all species per unit volume of solution.

c
x
c

c c

J Ay cDAB

dx A
dy

The molar flux

14

Molar & Mass Flux

Comparison of mass flux and molar flux formula
The mass flux

j Ay DAB

The molar flux

d A
dy

J Ay cDAB

15

dx A
dy

The convective mass flux

Convective mass flux of component A c Av**

Av A B vB

A
Av A B vB

A n A nB
Convective Molar Flux of Component A A n A nB
v** Mass average velocity
16

The convective molar flux

Convective molar flux of component A c Av*
cA

c Av A cB vB
c

cA
c Av A cB vB
c

xA N A N B
Convective Molar Flux of Component A x A N A N B

17

Combined Mass Flux

Combined Mass Flux of species A in z-direction is given by :

n Az j Az A n Az nBz
n Az DAB

A
A n Az nBz
z

Molecular flux
Resulting from
concentration
gradient

Convective flux
Resulting from the bulk
motion of the fluid

Similarly for species B:

B
nBz DBA
B n Az nBz
z
18

Combined Molar Flux

Combined Molar Flux of species A in z-direction is given by :

N Az J Az x A N Az N Bz
N Az cDAB

x A
x A N Az N Bz
z

Molecular flux
Resulting from
concentration
gradient

Convective flux
Resulting from the bulk
motion of the fluid

Similarly for species B:

N Bz

xB
cDBA
xB N Az N Bz
z
19

Lesson outcomes
At the end of the lesson the student should be able to
Lesson 24. Introduction to Mass transport

Explain the principle of mass transfer.

Formulate the Concentration distribution for diffusion

through stagnant gas film.

20