Part 2

Fundamentals of Diffusion and Extraction

Explanation of Diffusion: A.E. FICK (1829-1901)
Physiology research using physics.
Diffusion is a random process.
linear concentration gradient A
n (x)
n1 n 2
x 2 δx
n1> n2 n - number of molecules per volume
N1= n1Aδx # of molecules in volume 1
N2= n2Aδx # of molecules in volume 2

# of crossing in δt across the barrier

1
right to left 2 n2 Aδx
1
left to right n1 Aδx
2
rate of transfer:
dN 1 1 1
= ( n1 Aδx − n2 Aδx) ⋅
dt 2 2 δt
dN (n1 − n2 ) Aδx
=
dt 2δt
and
dn dn
n1 − n2 = − ⋅ δx ; is gradient of
dx dx concentration
P2/S2
dN (δx) 2 dn : A ·NA
= −A
dt 2δt dx NA - Avogadro’s number
dN 1 (δx) 2 dC
⋅ =− n
dt AN A 2δt dx C=
NA
J D
J - flux : number of moles per unit area per unit time
D - diffusion coefficient in m2 /s
∂C
J = −D Fick’s first law of diffusion
∂x
D = f (C )
Integral form of diffusion coefficient definition:
<x2> = 2Dt δx 2
= D⇒ x
2
= 2 Dt
2δt
where
<x2> - mean square displacement
in x direction in time t
exp. :
D = 10 −9 m 2 / s t = 10 −6 s
<x >= 2 ⋅ 10 − m x rms = 45 ⋅ 10 −9 m
2 15 2

Diffusion

Sharp Injection Output xms x

P2/S3
3 - DIMENSIONS
< r 2 >=< x 2 > + < y 2 > + < z 2 >
t
rrms = x rms ⋅ 3 = 78 ⋅10 −9 m

Second Fick’s law

∂J
J ( x) → → J ( x + dx) = J ( x) + ( )dx
∂x
∂C J ( x) − J ( x − dx) ∂J
= =−
∂t dx ∂x
from the first Fick’s law:
∂J ∂ 2C
= −D 2
∂x ∂x
therefore:
∂C ∂ 2C
=D 2
∂t ∂x
kF
Diffusion and chemical reaction: A + B C
kB
∂ CC ∂ 2 CC
=D + k F C A C B − k B CC
∂t ∂x 2