INTRODUCTION TO MASS

TRANSFER AND DIFFUSION

1.1 similarity of mass, heat and momentum transfer
processes
1.2 examples of mass transfer processes
1.3 ficks law for molecular diffusion
1.4 convective mass transfer coefficient
Three fundamental transfer processes

Momentum Heat Mass

transfer transfer transfer
Conductive & Distillation
Fluid flow convective transfer of
heat Absorption

Drying
Mixing Evaporation
Liquid-liquid extraction

Adsorption
Sedimentation Distillation
Ion exchange

Crystallization
Filtration Drying
Membrane processes
 The basic mechanisms are the same whether
the phase is a gas, a liquid, or a solid when mass
is being transferred from one distinct phase to
another or through a single phase
General molecular transport equation

Rate of a transfer process = driving force

resistance
 Molecular diffusion equations for
momentum, heat and mass transfer
Ficks law for
Newtons
Fouriers law for constant total
equation for
constant concentration in
constant density
a fluid
The similarities
1. All the fluxes on the left have a units transfer
of a quantity of momentum, heat or mass
per unit time per unit area
2. The transport properties have units of m2/s
3. The concentration represented as
momentum/m3, J/m3 or kg mol/m3
The difference between molecular mass transfer
and heat transfer by conduction

Molecular mass heat transfer by

transfer conduction
One or more of the The medium is usually
components of the stationary and only
medium is MOVING ENERGY in the form of
heat is being transported
 Examples of mass transfer
Mass transfer occurs when a component in a
mixture MIGRATES in the same phase or from
phase to phase because of a difference in
concentration between two points.

Evaporation diffusion drying

purification extraction
distillation absorption
 Ficks law for molecular diffusion
Can be defined as a transfer or movement of
individual molecules through a fluid by means
of the random, individual movements of the
molecules
Can be in straight line or changing direction by
bouncing off other molecules after collision
Travels in random path called random-walk
process
 Convective mass transfer coefficient
When a fluid flowing outside a solid surface in
forced convection motion, the rate of convective
mass transfer from the surface to the fluid can be
expressed by:
NA = kc ( CL1- - Cli )

kc = mass transfer coefficient , m/s

CL1 = bulk fluid concentration, kg mol A/m3
Cli = concentration in the fluid next to the surface of
the solid