(I) Derive the expression for diffusion through a spherical shell.

(II) Extend these results to describe diffusion in a non-isothermal film in which temperature changes with distance according to ( ) where T1 is the temperature at r = r1 and assume that DAB varies as 3/2 power of temperature. SOLUTION: Consider a spherical shell of radius r and thickness r as shown in the figure.

r1 r r2 r

Mass balance for this shell is given as: Rate of mass in Rate of mss out + Rate of mass production = 0

Dividing equation (1) by 4r and let r approach to zero.

(I): Combined flux = Molecular flux + Convective flux = Diffusional flux + Molar average velocity

Ficks law of diffusion of A through diffusing B in z-direction is

where JA is molar flux in moles/(area.time) DAB is diffusivity of A through B in area/time CA is molar concentration of A in moles/volume xA is mole fraction of A Ficks law of diffusion of A through non-diffusing B (NB=0) in radial direction is

Substituting the above equation in equation (2), ( )

Integrating equation (3) with respect to r,

Integrating the above equation,

Boundary conditions: At r = r1, xA = xA1; At r = r2, xA = xA2 Substituting the above boundary conditions in equation (4),

Subtracting equation (5) from equation (6), ( ( ( ( ( ) ) ) ) )

Substituting equation (7A) in equation (5), ( ( ) ) ( )

Substituting equations (7A) and (7B) in equation (4), ( ) ( )

( (

) )

( (

) )[ ]

( )

The molar flow rate of A at r1 is given by

From equation (a), equation (9) becomes

From (b), equation (9A) becomes,

From equation (7A), equation (9B) becomes, ( ( ) ) ( )

Equation (10) gives the molar flow of A across any spherical surface of radius r between r 1 and r2.

(II): We have given that DAB varies as 3/2 power of temperature.

( ) where DAB1 is diffusivity at T = T1 But, it is also given that ( )

( )

( )

( )

Substituting equation (a) in equation (2), [ ( )

( )

( )

( )

( ) [ * ( )

] +

Integrating equation (3) with respect to r,

Integrating the above equation,

( Boundary conditions:

At r = r1, xA = xA1;

At r = r2, xA = xA2 Substituting the above boundary conditions in equation (4),

Subtracting equation (5) from equation (6), ( )

( ( ( ( ) ) ( ) ) (

Substituting equation (6) in equation (5), ( ) ( )

Substituting equations (7A) and (7B) in equation (4), ( ( ) ) ( ) ( )

( (

) )*

( +

( * ( + )

)*

The molar flow rate of A at r1 is given by

From equation (a), equation (9) becomes

From (b), equation (9A) becomes,

From equation (7A), equation (9B) becomes, ( ) ( )

) (

When n = 0, the above equation for non-isothermal condition reduces to that of isothermal case.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Problems of this kind arise in connection with drying of droplets diffusion through gas films near spherical catalyst pellets