Khulna University of Engineering & Technology

Department of Chemical Engineering

Year- 3rd; Semester-2nd
Sessional Report on Ch.E 3212

Experiment no: 01
Experiment title: Study of Gaseous Diffusion

Evaluation & Remarks

Submitted by Submitted to
Nusrat Jahan Mim Md. Khairul Bahar
Roll-1929023 Lecturer,
Dept. Of Ch.E
KUET

Date of performance : 18.09.2023 Date of Submission: 07.11.2023

Abstract:
The purpose of this experiment was to measure the gas diffusion coefficient of a volatile
component and look into how time intervals and acetone level related to each other. In this
experiment, 40°C-temperature non-diffusing stagnant air was passed over the test tube with
acetone was placed inside the capillary tube, allowing the acetone to diffuse. There is a fixed,
constant temperature & to ensure the vapor partial pressure, air stream is passed over the tube, is
transferring from the liquid surface to be air stream by molecular diffusion. The mass transfer
occurs from the acetone's surface due to different in the partial pressure and concentration gradient
of the system's constituent parts. The first reading of the acetone level is represented by L0, and it
is obtained after the temperature remained constant. The first reading was taken 3.6 Ks. A graph
was created by plotting t/L-L0 against L-L0, and the slope of the straight line were determined. The
graph's slope was used to determine the diffusivity of acetone in air which is 10.669×10-6 m2/sec.
Throughout the experiment as time interval increased, the rate of diffusivity of acetone also
increased. In order to reduce the number of errors during this experiment, a number of
recommendations should be followed.

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1.0 Experimental setup:

Figure-1: Experimental set up for gaseous diffusion.

2
2.0 Experimental data:
Experimental data of Acetone diffusivity in air at temperature 40 ℃ & pressure 1 atm.

Observation Time, t (sec) L-L0 (meter) Time/L-L0 (sec/meter)

No.
1 0 0 -

2 3600 0.0022 1636363.636

3 7200 0.0042 1714285.714

4 11160 0.0063 1771428.571

5 15900 0.0088 1806818.182

6 19980 0.0108 1850000.000

7 23400 0.0124 1887096.774

8 78780 0.0345 2283478.261

9 83520 0.0361 2313573.407

10 87240 0.0373 2338873.995

11 91800 0.0389 2359897.172

12 97320 0.0408 2385294.118

13 101100 0.042 2407142.857

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3.0 Result & Discussion:
The result of experimental data is shown in Figure-2 by plotting time/L-L0 against L-L0.

y = 2E+07x + 2E+06
3000000
Time/ (L-L0) (Sec/meter)

2500000
2000000
1500000
1000000
500000
0
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025 0.03 0.035 0.04 0.045
L-L0 (meter)

Figure-2: Graph of time/L-L0 (sec/meter) against L-L0 (meter).

Following the experimental procedure, the value of diffusion coefficient of Acetone in air that is
found 10.669×10-6 m2/sec. Theoretical value of diffusion coefficient of Acetone,

(ⅰ) using empirical correlation Fuller, Schettler & Giddings that is

1
1 1
0.001×T1.75 ×( + )2
DAB = 1
MA MB
1 = 11.528×10-6 m2/s
P×[(∑ υA)3 +(∑ υB)3 ]2

(ⅱ) for Lennard-Jones equation,

1 1
0.001858×T3/2 [ + ]1/2
MA MB
DAB= =10.752×10-6 m2/s.
P×σAB 2 ×ΩD

Diffusion is the process by which one material spreads to another. It happens whenever the
concentration gradient varies in any way. Diffusion often occurs from concentrations that are
higher to concentrations that are lower. The objective in this experiment to calculate the
diffusion coefficient of a volatile component to use Winkelmann's method. The solution of acetone
is used as a volatile liquid in this experiment & diffuse into gas which is air. Acetone which has

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the higher concentration compare with air, because air has lower concentration. Therefore,
diffusion of an acetone occurs in the air.

Based on experimental data, it was calculated to find the ratio of time (t) to height variation (L-L0)
of acetone. In addition, graphs of the ratio (time/L-L0) versus the variation in liquid height were
plotted to ascertain the slope. To determine the acetone diffusivity in air by using this slope from
the graph at the temperature was 40°C. The experimental result, the diffusivity of acetone at the
40℃ temperature were calculated which is 10.669×10-6 m2/sec.

Theoretically, in the dilute gas region the diffusivity of mixture of binary gas, that is low pressures
near atmospheric, can be predicted using the kinetic theory of gases. The substance molecules
gained the energy at higher temperatures allows to have higher kinetic energy and molecules
moves freely. As a result, the rate of acetone diffusion into the gaseous area will rise. It is implied
that momentum is conserved since the gas is thought to be composed of inflexible spherical
particles that are fully elastic upon colliding with another molecule. In practical that is not
possible.For simplifying the empirical equation of diffusion coefficient it is assumed, between the
molecules there are no attractive or repulsive forces. In the derivation the average distance a
molecule travels between collisions, or mean free path λ, is used.

However, there were some errors made during the experiment perform that had a minor impact on
the outcome. Prior to use, the capillary tube needs to be cleaned and washed with distilled water.
Try to ensure there are no bubbles formed in the capillary tube before filling it with acetone.

4.0 Conclusion:
As a conclusion, this experiment is to study the diffusivity of the gaseous based on theory of mass
transfer using Wilkelmann’s method. Based on this theory the experimental result, the diffusivity
of acetone at the 40℃ temperature was calculated which is 10.669×10-6 m2/sec. The graph
indicates that the acetone's diffusivity varies with time. We can infer that as time passes, the rate
of diffusivity of acetone will also increase. By that, the diffusivity coefficient has been studied
theory of mass transfer using Wilkelmann's method in this experiment.

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5.0 References:

Book-

[1] Rousseau, R. M. (2017). Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes 4th edition. John Wiley
& Sons Singapore Pte. Ltd.

[2] Geankoplis, C. J. (2013). Transport Processes & Separation Process Principles (includes Unit
Operations). Pearson Education Limited.

[3] José Coca, J. L. (1980). Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Fundamentals. Gaseous Diffusion
Coefficients by the Stefan-Winkelmann Method Using a Polymer-Solvent Mixture as Evaporation
Source, 219-221.

[4] CengelGhajar. (2015). Heat and Mass Transfer Fundamental & Application.Fifth
Edition.McGraw Hill Education.

[5] Pommersheim, J. (1984). Fundamental of Momemtum, Heat and Mass Transfer.

[6] Cussler, E. L (2003). Diffusion: Mass Transfer In fluid System, 2nd edition.

[7] Geankoplis, C.J. (2014). Transport Processes & Separation Process Principles (Includes Unit
Operations). Forth Edition.

Website-

1. Richard Price, Ben Lund, David Judd. (2012). http:/www.academia.edu/5244084/Full_report.

Retrived 15 September 2018.

2. Jamal, M.M (16 June 2016) Gas Diffusion Coefficient. Retrieved 9 September 2018.