BACHELOR OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING (HONS)

LAB REPORT SUBMISSION FORM

EKC 2131 CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LAB III
NAME Nisha Fareena Khan ID 1102171011
EXPERIMENT NO. & TITLE VAPOUR IN AIR DIFFUSION APPARATUS
EXP 2
WEEK OF EXPERIMENT 6
DATE OF EXPERIMENT 3/11/2019
DATE OF SUBMISSION 10/11/2019

NAME OF GROUP MEMBERS ID

Nisha fareena Khan 1102171011
Mathaneshan Rajagopal 1103173003

MARKING SIGNATURES
DETAILS TOTAL MARKS
AWARDED
Attitude 5
Participation 5
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LAB III
Lab Report 40 INCHARGE
(DR. PADMESH/MS. MADIHAH MISKAN)
Total 50

On-time submission Late submission

Table of Content

1. Abstract ………………………………………………………. 2
2. Objective ………………………………………………………. 3
3. Introduction …………………………………………………….. 3-6
4. Procedure …………………………………………………….6-7
5. Result and Discussion …………………………………………..8-11
6. Conclusion and Recommendation ………………………………12
7. References …………………………………………………..13
8. Appendix …………………………………………………..14-15

1
1.0.Abstract:

A molecular diffusion experiment was conducted with the goal of determining the
diffusion coefficient of acetone into air. For this experiment, acetone was placed in a
capillary tube and was allowed to diffuse into non-diffusing air that was passed over the
test tube at the temperature of 40⁰C, 45⁰C, 50⁰Cand 55⁰C. The temperature is kept constant
and air stream is passed over the top of the tube to ensure that the partial pressure of the
vapour is transferred from the surface of the liquid to be air stream by molecular diffusion.
The initial reading and every 15 minutes subsequent reading of the liquid acetone level are
determined, and the experiment is conducted for 60 minutes. The experiment is repeated
by changing temperatures and observing the diffusivity values. A graph of Diffusivity
coefficient DAB against temperature is plotted and best fit of straight line and slope of the
graph are obtained. The diffusivity of acetone at four different temperatures is determined
through calculation. The diffusivity of acetone at various temperatures are -5.88541x10-5,
-3.25764x10-5, -1.83115x10-5 , -3.95025x10-5 respectively. Throughout the experiment, the
diffusivity of acetone is determined to be higher at higher temperature. This fits the theory
where temperature affects the diffusion rate. Several recommendation should be taken
during operating this experiment to minimize the errors.

2
2.0.Objective:

The main objective of this experiment is to:

1. To study the effect of temperature on the diffusion coefficient.
2. To determine the diffusion coefficient (DAB) of an organic vapour (Acetone) in air.

3.0.Introduction:

1. Principle:

Molecular diffusion or molecular transport can be defined as the transfer or movement

of individual molecules through a fluid by means of the random, individual movements of
the molecules. Since the molecules travel in a random path, molecular diffusion is often
called a random-walk process. Mass transport in a gas or liquid generally involves the flow
of fluid (e.g. convection-currents) although atoms also diffuse. Solids on the other hand, can
support shear stresses and hence do not flow except by diffusion involving the jumping of
atoms on a fixed network of sites. Diffusion can be divided into two types which are
diffusion in a uniform concentration gradient and diffusion in a non-uniform concentration.
Uniform concentration obeys Fick’s first law where the constant of proportionality is called
the diffusion coefficient in m2s-1.Fick‟s first law applies to steady state flux in a uniform
concentration gradient. The diffusion in non-uniform concentration gradients obeys Fick’s
second law of diffusion with assuming that the diffusivity is independent of the
concentration (Geankoplis, C. J, 1993, p381-383).

Fick's first law:

Fick's first law relates the diffusive flux to the concentration field, by postulating that
the flux goes from regions of high concentration to regions of low concentration, with a
magnitude that is proportional to the concentration gradient. Here only molecules are
moving whole bulk of molecules is not in motion. Hence for this system Fick‟s law can be
defined as

𝑑𝑋𝐴
JAZ = -CDAB ( 𝑑𝑍 )

3
 Fick's second law:

Fick's second law predicts how diffusion causes the concentration to change with time.
When unsteady state diffusion takes place in one direction in a solid or stagnant fluid, the
governing differential equation is called Fick’s second law of diffusion.

𝐷𝐶𝐴 𝑑²𝐶𝐴
= -DAB ( 𝑑𝑥² )
𝑑𝑡

Where,

dxA/dz is the concentration gradient per unit length and

DAB is the diffusion constant.

JAZ diffusional flux of unit (mole/m2 .sec).

C is the total concentration of A and B in (moles/m3 ).

XA is mole fraction of A in concentration of A and B.

The negative sign indicates that the diffusion occurs in the direction where there is drop
in concentration. The diffusivity or diffusion coefficient, D is a property of the system
dependent upon temperature, pressure and nature of the components. An advanced kinetic
theory predicts that in binary mixtures there will be only a small effect of composition. The
dimensions of diffusivity can be established as length2 /time and the SI dimensions are m2
/sec.

Pressure dependence of diffusivity is given by:

1
DAB ∝
𝑃

And temperature dependency is according to

DAB ∝ T3/2

In the method of diffusion, the Stefan tube under which the set of experiments occur , one
of the components assuming „A‟ is available as a volatile liquid and other component „B‟ is a
gas which is insoluble in „A‟. Stefan tube is consists of a vertical glass tube sealed at the bottom
is joined to a larger diameter horizontal tube to form a „T shaped structure.‟ The liquid „A is
taken in the narrow vertical tube and the gas „B‟ is ejected to the horizontal tube. Evaporated

4
„A‟ diffused through mixture of „A‟ and „B‟ in the vertical tube, flow towards the top and
swept away by the flowing stream of „B‟. As „B‟ is not soluble in „A‟, it will not diffuse and
19 the statement is confirmed to be “Diffusion of „A‟ through non-diffusing „B‟. The liquid
tube level will gradually drop slowly and pseudo-steady state assumption is reached.

Figure 3.1: Schematic diagram of Stefan Tube.

This machine used for this experiment is to determine the gas diffusion coefficient by
evaporation from a liquid surface for acetone-air system. In the case of study, acetone diffuses
through non-diffusing air, which is passed over the top of the test tube containing the acetone.
The air is allowed into the test tube, but does not diffuse into the acetone. The diffusivity of the
vapour of a volatile liquid in air can be determined by using Winklemann’s method. In which
liquid was contained in a narrow diameter vertical tube, maintained at a constant temperature,
and air stream passed through over the top of the tube. All these are to ensure that the vapour
partial pressure was been transferred from the surface of the liquid to the air stream by
molecular diffusion (Bird, R. B., W. E. Stewart, and E. N. Lightfoot, 1960).

5
 2. Applications:

Diffusion is of fundamental importance in many disciplines of physics, chemistry, and

biology. Some example applications of diffusion:

 Sintering to produce solid materials (powder metallurgy, production of ceramics)

 Chemical reactor design.
 Catalyst design in chemical industry.
 Steel can be diffused (e.g., with carbon or nitrogen) to modify its properties.
 Doping during production of semiconductors (Robert E. Treybal, 2009).

4.0.Procedure:

1. Opening procedure:

4.1. The apparatus was clean and made free from dust.

4.2. The switches on the panel were at OFF position.

4.3. The water bath was filled with water 3/4th of its capacity.

4.4. The water bath temperature was set at (approx 60oC).

4.5. The main power supply was switched ON.

4.6. The heater was switch ON.

4.7. The stirrer was switched ON.

4.8. There was a waiting point for the bath to reach the set temperature not the steady
temperature.

4.9. The T-tube with acetone solution was filled up to two centimetres of the capillary
leg.

4.10. The initial height of liquid in the capillary was taken down.

4.11. Connection with air pump were made to allow a gentle current of air to flow
over the capillary.

4.12. The height of liquid in the capillary was taken down every 10 min.

4.13. The experiment was repeated for different water bath temperatures.

6
 2. Closing Procedure:
4.14. When experiment is over stop the air supply.

4.15. Switch OFF heater and stirrer.

4.16. Switch OFF the main power supply.

4.17. Clean the tube.

Diffusion setup consists of glass Stefan T-tube, constant temperature water bath, air pump,
Stirrer, heater, air blower, temperature sensor device for measuring temperature, diffusing
cylinder for diffusing solid materials, Rotameter for measuring variable pressure, bench area
for fixing whole diffusion set-up, pipe which is connect to T-tube for flowing air in which one
end of pipe is connected to air blower.

Figure 4.1: Vapour in air diffusion apparatus.

Formulas Used:

1. To determine the diffusion coefficient.

2
𝑅𝑇 𝑃𝐵𝑀 𝜌𝐴 (𝑋 2 −𝑋𝑂 )
DAB = 2 𝑃𝑀𝐴 (𝑃𝐴1 −𝑃𝐴2 )

2. Determine PBM:

𝑃𝑏2−𝑃𝑏1
PBM = 𝑝𝑏2 =82813.36 Pa.
ln( )
𝑝𝑏1

3. Partial pressure:
Pa1 = e (A-B/T+C)

7
5.0.Result and Discussion:

Using a small sample of the liquid in a narrow vertical tube, and observing its rate of
evaporation into stream of air passed across the top of the tube can conveniently be used to
study the diffusion of vapour of a volatile liquid into air. The set up consists of a glass tube
placed in a water bath. A horizontal glass tube is fixed to the upper end of the tube and air is
drawn through this by a small air pump included within the unit. Air flows over this tube
maintaining partial pressure difference. A Traveling microscope with sliding vernier-scale is
provided to measure the rate of fall of solvent within capillary. A stirrer is fitted to maintain
constant temperature inside the bath (Warren L. McCabe, Julian C. Smith, Peter Harriott,
2010).

At first the t-tube was filled with acetone 2cm. And kept in the water bath that was filled
2/3rd of its capacity. The Stefan tube is a simple device used for measuring diffusion
coefficients in binary vapours. At the bottom of the tube is a pool of mixture. The vapour that
evaporates from this pool diffuses to the top of the tube, where a stream of air, flowing across
the top of the tube, keeps the mole fraction of diffusing vapour there to be zero. The mole
fraction of vapour above the liquid interface is at equilibrium.

Table 5.1: Data collected from the vapour in air diffusivity apparatus.

SL NO Temperature Height (m) Change in Time

Height
(Zi-Zf)

(K) Before (Zi) After ( Zf) (cm) (sec)

1
318 0.0672 0.0662 0.000133 900
2
323 0.0662 0.0655 9.22E-05 900
3
328 0.0655 0.065 6.53E-05 900
4
333 0.065 0.0636 0.00018 900

8
 The table 5.1 shows the values obtained during the experiment with an interval of 15
miutes of 900 sec the temperature was increased from 318K to 323K, 328K and 333K
respectively. The change in height noted was 0.00013m upto 0.00018m in a span of 60 minutes.
From the following figure the partial pressure such as Pa1, Pa2, Pb1 and Pb2 is calculated by
knowing the constants A, B and C. thus after obtaining all the values the Diffusivity coefficient
is calculated that comes out to be -5.9 x 10-5 m2/s.

Table 5.2: Diffusivity Coefficient DAB against Temperature K.

T(K) Dab

318 -5.88541x10-5

323 -3.25764x10-5

328 -1.83115x10-5

333 -3.95025x10-5

The table 5.2 shows the values of Diffusivity coefficient DAB at temperature T. The
diffusivity varies at different temperatures as seen from the values. Some deviations may be
caused due to error in measurement. At various temperatures and various time span the
diffusivity increases and decreases. The accuracy of the apparatus and the measuring scale has
an impact on the values of the height difference. After air is allowed to pass through the t-tube
the height is measured.

Figure 5.3: Diffusivity in a T-tube.

9
 The initial height and the final height after the air flow is noted and the difference is
calculated. After obtaining the partial pressures pa1 that is the pressure on the surface of the
liquid, pa2 is zero Pb1 is the pressure at the entrance of the air column and Pb2 is the pressure
after passing the opening as shown in figure 5.3. The value of DAB is calculated and plot
against temperature.

0
315 320 325 330 335
-0.00001

-0.00002

y = 1E-06x - 0.0005
DAB (m2/s)

-0.00003

-0.00004

-0.00005

-0.00006

-0.00007
Temperature, K

Figure 5.4: Diffusion coefficient DAB against Temperature K.

The following graph 5.4 shows the curve obtained by plotting the values of diffusivity
coefficient DAB against different temperatures. The value of DAB at 318K is noted to be -
5.88541 x 10-5. The graph shows that the diffusivity increases as the temperature increases. The
diffusivity of vapour in air depends on temperature in such a way that a rise in temperature
causes a rise in diffusivity as diffusivity is approximately proportional to T1.5. Temperature
dependency is according to DAB ∝ T3/2 . Based on the collection data, the ratio of the time to
the different in height of acetone were calculated. Besides, graphs of the ratio against the
difference in liquid level were also plotted in order to determine the slope. The slope calculated
is the diffusivity of acetone in air. It has also being analysed from the graph that the slope with
lower temperature was more stepper than slope of higher temperature hence, causing the
diffusivity of the acetone with higher temperature will have a higher value. Theoretically, the
molecules of substance possess higher kinetic energy and move more freely from the energy

10
gained at higher temperature. Thus, this will increase the rate of diffusivity but as we can see
at the point 333K the diffusivity value decreases this could be caused due to some error in the
measurement.

However, during conducting the experiment there were several experimental error or
mistake occurred effecting slightly the result we obtained. The first one was during taking the
reading of meniscus of acetone. The eye position should be parallel to the meniscus in order to
get accurate precise measurement. While adjusting the meniscus, make sure the meniscus is
located most nearly to the horizontal line before taking the reading from the vernier scale. The
experiment should be carried out in longer time to get better results. The procedures were
repeated three times by varying the temperature at 40°C ,45°C and 50°C, 55°C and the level of
the acetone inside the capillary tube was recorded for every 15 minutes. The effect of
temperature on the diffusion coefficient was taken under consideration and understood well.
As well as the diffusion coefficient (DAB) of an organic vapour (Acetone) in air was studied.

11
6.0.Conclusion and Recommendation:

This experiment was performed to determine the diffusivity of the vapour and to study
the effect of temperature on the diffusivity. From the analysed data and calculated results
the diffusivity of the vapour of acetone at 40⁰C, 45⁰C, 50⁰Cand 55⁰C were -5.88541x10-5, -
3.25764x10-5, -1.83115x10-5 , -3.95025x10-5 respectively. We can conclude that diffusivity of
the acetone with higher temperature will have a higher value. Besides that, it has been
theoretically proved that higher temperature causing the molecules of substance to gain
higher kinetic energy and moves randomly and freely hence increasing the rate of diffusion.
Finally, the experiment has accomplished us with the study of diffusivity coefficient and
familiarity with the use of laboratory instruments to achieve accurate measurements of data
required for industrial process design.

The apparatus used in this experiment such as the capillary tube and syringe should be
cleaned and rinsed with distilled water before using them in this experiment. When
confining the acetone into the capillary tube, make sure there is no bubble formed. The
temperature specified also must be constant throughout the experiment. The height
difference should be taken from the edge of the t-tube to the solvent level thus providing
more accurate values.

12
7.0.References

Geankoplis, C. J. (1993). Types of Separation Processes and Methods, “In Transport

Processes and Unit Operations” (3rd Edition ed., p. 585). Minnesota: Prentice Hall P( 381-
383).

Atkins, Peter and de Paula, Julio, "Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences", 2006

Warren L. McCabe, Julian C. Smith, Peter Harriott, “Unit operations of chemical engineering
”,McGraw-Hill 7th edition,17,p.527-564 (2010)

Robert E. Treybal, 2009, “Mass-Transfer operations-Diffusion”,ed-2 nd ch2,p21-93

Bird, R. B., W. E. Stewart, and E. N. Lightfoot: “Transport phenomena,” Wiley, New York,
1960.

13
8.0.Appendix:

8.1.Data

8.2. Observation
t = 15 (min)

SL NO Temperature Height (m) Change in Time

(K) Height (sec)
(Zi2-Zf2)
(cm)
Before (Zi) After ( Zf)

1
318 0.0672 0.0662 0.000133 900
2
323 0.0662 0.0655 9.22E-05 900
3
328 0.0655 0.065 6.53E-05 900
4
333 0.065 0.0636 0.00018 900

Calculations for operation at 318K:

Time = t = 900s

14
Xi = 0.0672

Xf = 0.0662

(Xf2 – Xi2) = 0.00013

P = 760mmHg

Calculate constants:

Constant A = 15.84

Constant B = 2790.78

Constant C = 226.46

Calculate partial pressures:

Pa1 = e (A-B/T+C)
Pa1 = 34618.36 Pa
Pa2 = 0 Pa

Pb1 = 66706.64 Pa
Pb2 = 101325 Pa
𝑃𝑏2−𝑃𝑏1
PBM = 𝑝𝑏2 =82813.36 Pa
ln( )
𝑝𝑏1

Gas constant:
R = 8.3144 (m3.Pa/mol.K)

Ρ (Acetone) = 763324 g/m3

MWA = 60 g/ mol

Pa1-Pa2 = 34618.36 Pa
Diffusivity:

2
𝑅𝑇 𝑃𝐵𝑀 𝜌𝐴 (𝑋 2 −𝑋𝑂 )
DAB = = 5.9 x 10-5 m2/s.
2 𝑃𝑀𝐴 (𝑃𝐴1 −𝑃𝐴2 )

15
16