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Understanding Diffusion in Chemical Engineering

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from high to low concentration due to random thermal motion, continuing until uniform concentration is achieved. The document discusses Fick's Law of Diffusion, the distinction between bulk and molecular diffusion, and methods for calculating diffusivity in gases and liquids. It also outlines the estimation of flux in gaseous and liquid systems, emphasizing the role of diffusion as a rate-limiting step in mass transfer operations.

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Jignesh Dodiya
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11 views4 pages

Understanding Diffusion in Chemical Engineering

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from high to low concentration due to random thermal motion, continuing until uniform concentration is achieved. The document discusses Fick's Law of Diffusion, the distinction between bulk and molecular diffusion, and methods for calculating diffusivity in gases and liquids. It also outlines the estimation of flux in gaseous and liquid systems, emphasizing the role of diffusion as a rate-limiting step in mass transfer operations.

Uploaded by

Jignesh Dodiya
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Chemical Engineering Insights

WHAT IS
DIFFUSION?

DEV SHARMA
Mass Transfer Operations

DIFFUSION
Diffusion is the process by which molecules or particles move from a region of higher
concentration to a region of lower concentration due to their random thermal motion.
It continues until a uniform concentration is achieved throughout the system.

The rate of diffusion is described by:

Fick’s Law of Diffusion


- Molar Flux
- Diffusivity
- Concentration
- Net Movement in
direction of Diffusion

Diffusion Phenomenon

Bulk Diffusion Molecular Diffusion


The movement of molecules due to a concentration The movement of individual molecules from a region of
gradient in a system where a significant amount of material higher concentration to lower concentration due to random
flows as a group, often observed in gases or liquids in molecular motion, typically dominant in systems with
large-scale flows. minimal bulk flow.

A Combined Flux Eqn


B

DEV SHARMA
Mass Transfer Operations

CALCULATION OF DIFFUSIVITY ( )
Chapman Enskog Equation
Diffusivity of
Gases
- Temperature
- Molecular Mass
- pressure
- Collision Diameter
- Temperature dependent term

Wilke Chang Relation


Diffusivity of
Liquids
- Temperature
- Molecular Mass
- Association Parameter
- Viscosity

R
- Specific Volume

GASES
Self Diffusion

=1
(ideal gases)

= 297
LIQUIDS (Self Diffusing
Using KTG Water)

SOLIDS
- avg. molecular velocity
- mean free path
- density
- viscosity

DEV SHARMA
Mass Transfer Operations

ESTIMATION OF FLUX
A
Steps for Transport CASE (I)
Movement
1. Bulk Movement toward film [I] HIGH
LOW of only A
2. Film Movement [I] molecules
3. Film Movement [II] CASE (II)
4. Bulk Movement away from film [II] LOW
HIGH
HIGH
Movement
LOW
of both A &
1,4 --> Convective Transport
B molecules
2,3 --> Diffusional Transport

RATE LIMITING STEP --> DIFFUSION (ussually) A B

General Equation for Flux :

GASEOUS SYSTEM LIQUID SYSTEM

Diffusion of A in non diffusing B Diffusion of A in non diffusing B

- partial pressure - mole fraction


- log mean pressure diff. - log mean mole fraction

Countercurrent Diffusion of A & B Countercurrent Diffusion of A & B


(Equimolar) (Equimolar)

DEV SHARMA

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