Two film theory

Lecture [ 7 ]

pA(bulk)

So far we have analysed interfacial mass transfer with resistance in only one of the
phases.
Many systems of interest to engineers and scientists have resistances to mass transfer
on both sides of the phase interface.
Consider the surface of a lake absorbing atmospheric pollutants, present in ppm:

bulk
gas

gas film
A

liquid
film

pA(i)

cA(i)

p Ai H A c Ai

cA

bulk
liquid

It is possible to develop an analytical method to

predict the behaviour of such systems.

Two film theory - overall mass transfer coefficients equimolar counterdiffusion

mixed
bulk
liquid

laminar
liquid
film

laminar
gas film

Lecture [7]

mixed
bulk
gas

yA pA

pAi yAi
xAi cAi

xA cA

G
z=0

N A N A N B x A D AB .c

x A
z

x A
z
(x x A )
D AB c Ai
L

N A N A N B y A D AB

N A D AB .c

N A D AB

NA

N A D AB

N A k x x Ai x A
N A k c c Ai c A
kx c kc

[ mol / m2s ]

P y A

RT z

P y A

RT z
P y A y Ai

RT
G

N A k y y A y Ai

N A k g p A p Ai

k y P kg

(7.1)

(7.2)

[ mol / m2s ]

Two film theory - overall mass transfer coefficients equimolar counterdiffusion

B

yA pA

pAi yAi

mixed
bulk
liquid

mixed
bulk
gas

xAi cAi

xA cA
L

G
z=0

N A k c c Ai c A

p A H A c*A

(p A H A c A )
HA
1

kc
kg

H A (c*A c A )
(c*A c A )

HA
1
1
1

kc
kg
kc HAkg

1
1
1

KL
kc
HAkg
liquid phase
+
resistance

NA

gas phase
resistance

(7.3)

(7.4)

pA H A c A
(p A pA )
HA
1

kc
kg

N A K G (p A p A )

N A K L (c*A c A )

total
resistance =

N A k g p A p Ai

NA

NA

Lecture [ 7 ]

(7.5)

1
HA
1

KG
kc
kg
total
resistance =

liquid phase
+
resistance

gas phase
resistance

Two film theory - overall mass transfer coefficients uni-molecular diffusion

Lecture [ 7 ]

(7.6)

(7.7)

Two film theory - overall mass transfer coefficients uni-molecular diffusion

Lecture [ 7 ]

(7.8)

(7.9)

(7.10)

Overall mass transfer coefficients two film theory

Lecture [7]

Comparison of equations 7.2 and 7.7 shows that, for example, considering just the gas
film:

k 'y

ky

1 y A LM

(7.11)

yA
bulk
gas
(mixed)

liquid

yAi
z=0

laminar gas film

z=G

The various formats of mass transfer coefficients are inter-related as follows:

liquid phase

gas phase

L
kc
M

k x c.k c

3
kmol kmol m kg m m

2
3
m s m s kg kmol s

k y P.k g k c

P
RT

N m2
kmol
kmol m

Pa

2
2

ms
m s.Pa s Nm kmol .K K

Overall mass transfer coefficients two film theory

Lecture [7 ]

The use of Henrys law in the previous analysis implies that the liquid / vapour
equilibrium relationship is a straight line. This is often the case for dilute systems.
The situation can be represented graphically as follows:

gas phase mole fraction

1
equilibrium
relationship

yA(i) = HA xA(i)

yA(bulk)

interface
conditions

yA(i)
yA*
0
0

xA(bulk)

xA(i)

xA*

0.01

liquid phase mole fraction

Overall mass transfer coefficients two film theory

Lecture [7 ]

(7.12)
(7.13)