Transport Phenomena

Transport Coefficients
Expressions for the behaviour of these properties in low-density gases can be derived by using
two approaches:
1. The kinetic theory of gases
2. Use of molecular interactions (Chapman-Enskog theory).
In the first case the molecules are rigid, non-attracting, and spherical. They have
1. A mass m and a diameter d
2. A concentration n (molecules/unit volume)
3. A distance of separation that is many times d.
Chapman-Enskog Theory
This approach is valid for a dilute gas that is monatomic and non-polar. The following
expressions for viscosity, thermal conductivity, and diffusivity were derived:
=

2
3

3
2

mKT ( Eq.1)
d2

Where K is the Boltzmann constant

k=

1
2
d

D AB=

K 3T
(Eq.2)
3
m
3 1
2
3

( )(

2 K
3

1
1
+
2 m A 2 mB

3
2

1
2

) P dT+d (Eq .3)

( 2 )
2

Lennard-Jones Potential
Proposed by Sir John Edward Lennard-Jones, the Lennard-Jones potential describes the potential
energy of interaction between two non-bonding atoms or molecules based on their distance of
separation. The potential equation accounts for the difference between attractive forces (dipoledipole, dipole-induced dipole, and London interactions) and repulsive forces.
Lennard Jones potential is given by the following equation:
( r )=4

[( ) ( ) ]

12

(Eq.4 )

 is the intermolecular potential between the two atoms or molecules.

is a measure of how strongly the two particles attract each other.
is the distance at which the intermolecular potential between the two particles is zero .
r is the distance of separation between both particles (measured from the centre of one particle
to the centre of the other particle).
Resulting equations for viscosity, thermal conductivity, and diffusivity using the Lennard-Jones
potential are:
Chapman-Enskog Equation for viscosity:
MT
=2.6693 106 2 ( Eq .5)

Thermal Conductivity:
T /M
k =8.3225 102 2
(Eq .6)
k
k =
Mass Diffusvity:

D AB=1.8583 107

T3

1
1
+
MA MB
2

P AB AB

) (Eq .7)

where DAB is in units of m2/s, P is in atmospheres,

1
AB = ( A + B ) ,
2
AB
=

)( )

and AB is a function of

KT
AB

(see Appendix B, Table A-3-4).

Activity 1
1. The viscosity of isobutane at 23C and atmospheric pressure is 7.6 x 10-6 pascal-sec.
Compare this value to that calculated by the Chapman Enskog equation.
2. Calculate the diffusivity for the methane-ethane system at 104F and 14.7 psia.
2

3. Estimate the viscosities of n-hexane at 200C and toluene at 270C. The gases are at low
pressure.
4. Compute a value for DAB for a system of argon (A) and oxygen (B) at 294K and
atmospheric pressure.
5. What is the thermal conductivity of a mixture of methane (mole fraction of 0.486) and
propane at atmospheric pressure and 100 oC?
6. Compare values of thermal conductivity for argon at atmospheric pressure and 100C

using equations (Eq. 2) and (Eq.6), respectively.