Mass & Heat Transfer Lab BKF3721

EXPERIMENT 7: GAS DIFFUSION

OBJECTIVE
1. Study the temperature effect on diffusion coefficients.
2. Determination mass transfer rate without convective effects.

INTRODUCTION
Diffusion is the transport matter from one point to another point by kinetic energy of random
molecular motion. It occurs in gases, liquids and solids. The most common driving force of diffusion is a
concentration gradient of diffusing fluids. Concentration gradients tend to move the fluid in such a
direction as to equalize concentrations and destroy the gradients. Diffusion also can force by an activity
gradient, pressure gradient, temperature gradient or external force field. Diffusion is not restricted to
molecular transfer through stagnant layers of solid or fluid. It also takes place when fluids of different
composition are mixed.
The rate of diffusion in gases increases with the temperature approximately T3/2 and are inversely
proportional to the pressure. The inter-diffusion coefficients of gas mixtures are independently to the
composition. Kinetic theory shows that the self-diffusion coefficient of a pure gas is inversely proportional
to both the square root of the molecular weight and the square of the molecular diameter.

EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS/MATERIAL
1. LS-32136-A Gas diffusion coefficient apparatus

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
1. Pour tap water into the acrylic water bath tank. Fill the water till the water level is 25mm below the
top of the tank.
2. Fill the test liquid into the glass T-tube using pipette. The level of the test liquid should not exceed the
water level. (Test Liquid- ethanol)
3. Switch on the main switch on the panel.
4. Turn on the heater, and let the water heat up to 60
o
C.
5. Connect the air tube which connected with the blower to T-tube.
6. Switch on the blower to high air flow.
7. Adjust the telescope until it focusing the test liquid level at the T-Tube.
Mass & Heat Transfer Lab BKF3721


8. Wait till the water reached the set temperature. Record down the initial height of the test liquid level
in the T-tube (or you may tare zero the reading of the scale).
9. Start the stopwatch, at the same time keep an eye on the liquid level.
10. After 20 minutes, read the new test liquid level in the T-tube. Record the value.
11. Repeat the steps 10 in order to get 5 sets of data.

RESULT
GAS DIFFUSION
Initial Effective distance of mass transfer, Lo (mm) =
Test Fluid =
Time , t
(seconds)
Change of
height, L
(mm)
New effective
distance of mass
transfer, L
L
o
+ L
(mm)
L+L
o

(mm)
t/(L+L
o
)
(s/mm)
L-L
o

(mm)