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CME 301 - Mass Transfer Differential Equations of Mass Transfer Example Problems

This document contains 6 problems related to mass transfer and diffusion. The problems provide examples of using differential equations to model various mass transfer processes in different coordinate systems and boundary conditions. The examples include gas diffusion over a catalytic surface, diffusion through cylindrical and spherical geometries, evaporation and diffusion processes. Relevant assumptions and boundary conditions are stated for each problem. Solutions require setting up and simplifying the general differential equation based on the conditions provided.

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Najmul Puda Pappadam
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© © All Rights Reserved
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780 views

CME 301 - Mass Transfer Differential Equations of Mass Transfer Example Problems

This document contains 6 problems related to mass transfer and diffusion. The problems provide examples of using differential equations to model various mass transfer processes in different coordinate systems and boundary conditions. The examples include gas diffusion over a catalytic surface, diffusion through cylindrical and spherical geometries, evaporation and diffusion processes. Relevant assumptions and boundary conditions are stated for each problem. Solutions require setting up and simplifying the general differential equation based on the conditions provided.

Uploaded by

Najmul Puda Pappadam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CME 301 – Mass Transfer

Differential Equations of Mass Transfer


Example Problems

Dr. Chandra Mouli MR


Chemical Engineering Department
College of Engineering
General Differential Flux Equation

∂c A
− ∇.N A + RA =
∂t

Rectangular  ∂N A, x ∂N A, y ∂N A, z  ∂c A
coordinates
− + +  + RA =
 ∂x ∂y ∂z  ∂t

Cylindrical  1 ∂ (rN A,r ) 1 ∂N A,θ ∂N A, z  ∂c A


coordinates − + +  + RA =
 r ∂r r ∂θ ∂z  ∂t

Spherical
− 2
( )
 1 ∂ r 2 N A, r
+
1 ∂ (N A,θ sin θ )
+
1 ∂N A,φ 
+ =
∂c A
coordinates  R
∂ θ ∂ θ θ ∂φ ∂t
A
 r r r sin r sin 
2
Problem 1
The following sketch illustrates the gas diffusion in the neighborhood of a catalytic
surface. Hot gases of heavy hydrocarbons diffuse to the catalytic surface where they are
cracked into lighter compounds by the reaction:
H 2L,
the light products diffuse back into the gas stream.

a. Reduce the general differential equation for mass transfer to write the specific
differential equation that will describe this steady-state transfer process if the
catalyst is considered a flat surface. List all of the assumptions you have made in
simplifying the general differential equation.

b. Determine the Fick’s law relationship in terms of only compound H and insert it
into the differential equation you obtained in part (a).
Problem 2 Consider one of the cylindrical channels that run through an
isomerization catalyst as shown below. A catalyst coats the inner walls of each
channel. This catalyst promotes the isomerization of n-butane (n-C4H10) species A
to isobutene
(i-C4H10) species B.

The gas phase above the channels contains mixture of A and B


maintained at a constant composition of 60 mol %n C4H10 (A) and 40 mol% C4H10
(B). Gas phase species A diffuses down a straight channel of diameter d = 0.1 cm and
length
L=2.0 cm. The base of each channel is sealed. This is rapid reaction so that the
production rate of B is diffusion limited.
The quiescent gas space in the channel consists of only species A and B.
a. State three relevant assumptions for the mass transfer process.

b. Based on your assumptions, simplify the general differential equation for the mass
transfer of species A, leaving the equation in terms of the flux NA.

c. Using equations for the flux of A in your determined equation, express the general
differential equation in terms of the concentration cA.

d. Specify relevant boundary conditions for the gas phase


concentration cA.
Problem 3 One way to deliver a timed dosage within the human body is to ingest a
capsule and allow it to settle in the gastrointestinal system. Once inside the body, the
capsule slowly releases the drug to the body by a diffusion-limited process. A suitable
drug carrier is a spherical bead of a nontoxic gelatinous material that can pass through the
gastrointestinal system without disintegrating. A water-soluble drug (solute A) is uniformly
dissolved within the gel, has an initial concentration, cAo of 50 mg/cm3. The drug loaded
within the spherical gel capsule is the sink for mass transfer. Consider a limiting case
where the drug is immediately consumed or swept away once it reaches the surface, i.e.,
@ R, cA =0.

a. In analyzing the process, choose a coordinate system and simplify the general
differential equation for the mass transfer of the drug in terms of the flux.

b. What reasonable assumptions were used in your simplifying of the general differential
equation.

c. Simplify Fick’s equation for the drug species and obtain a differential equation in terms
of concentration, cA.
Problem 4
A large tank truck overturns and spills a herbicide over a field. The fluid remains on the soil
30 min before evaporating into the atmosphere. Simplify the general differential equation
for the mass transfer of the herbicide to write the following:

a. the steady-state differential equation that will describe the evaporation of the herbicide
into the air;

b. the differential equation that will describe the diffusion of the herbicide into the soil.
Problem 5
Helium gas is seperated from other components of a dilute gas mixture by its selective
diffusion through the wall of a Pyrex glass tube. Under steady-state conditions, the
partial pressures of helium at the inner and outer surfaces of the Pyrex tube are
1.5 and 1.0 bar, respectively. If the wall thickness of the Pyrex tubing is 3 mm, determine
a. the flux of He through a tube having an inside diameter of 1.0 cm;
b. b. the concentration profile, cA(r), of helium within the wall
Problem 6
A tank with its top open to the atmosphere contains liquid methanol (MeOH, molecular
weight 32g/mol) at the bottom of the tank. The tank is maintained at 30oC. The diameter of
the cylindrical tank is 1.0 m, the total height of the tank is 3.0 m, and the liquid level at the
bottom of the tank is maintained at 0.5 m. The gas space inside the tank is stagnant and the
MeOH vapors are immediately dispersed once they exit the tank. At 30oC, the vapor
pressure exerted by liquid MeOH is 163 mmHg and at 40oC the MeOH vapor pressure is
265 mmHg. We are concerned that this open tank may be emitting a considerable amount
of MeOH vapor.

a. What is the emission rate of MeOH vapor from the tank in units of kg MeOH/day when
the tank is at a temperature of 30oC? State all assumptions and boundary conditions.

b. If the temperature of the tank is raised to 40oC, what is the new methanol emission rate?

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