Diffusion
ABSTRACT
The First experiment goes with the understanding of
Diffusion via Edibon’s QDTL (QDTLC is QDTL-
Computerised). We were able to operate the
equipment with the conductimeter as well. At the
same time the experiment was being executed,
values were also jot down by measuring the Time (in
minutes) and the conductivity (mS). The given values
had shown also different results that can further
determine the relationship between concentration
and conductivity of the same solution.
INTRODUCTION
Conductivity in layman’s term can be defined as the
measure of ease when electric charge or heat
traverses through materials. There are several types
of conductivity such as thermal conductivity, electrical
conductivity and the likes. It can also be correlated to
resistance as conductivity is the inverse of resistance.
It is often measure in conductance in a given volume
of sample by a conductivity meter.
There are many uses for conductivity in the industry
ranging from; water treatment, leak detection,
cleaning in place, desalination and interface
detection.
Conductivity measurements are vital in such
processes, for example, raw water from rivers or
lakes are barely usable in industrial processes since
they contain large amounts of ionic substances which
can corrode and damage the plant’s equipment and
other paraphernalia. Since conductivity is also a
measure of the total concentration of ions, it makes it
a suitable process for monitoring the water being fed
into the plant’s equipment.
As described by the manual, QDTL is a didactic unit
that allows the learner to go into the theoretical
knowledge that he may have about the unitary
operations of mass transfer; specifically, about the
diffusion in liquids systems. A small volume tube with
Figure 1. QDTL equipment by Edibon
a filtering cell which has a certain number of pores
has been placed at one of its ends. A concentrated
solution of salt (sodium chloride) has been introduced
inside. The tube is introduced in a vessel with pure
solvent (distilled water). Now, the diffusion starts, and
it will be indirectly measured by the conductivity data.
With the equipment that is able to give the parameters
needed, we only used one formula for concentration
needed in the experiment:
𝐶1 𝑉1 = 𝐶2 𝑉2
OBJECTIVE
1. Use the Liquid Mass Transfer and Diffusion
Coefficient Unit (QDTL / QDTLC) to determine the
relationship between concentration and conductivity
of the same solution.
2. Investigate the rate of diffusion of a sample of Time (min) Conductivity
(mS)
solute in a liquid solvent by application of Fick’s Law
0.5 0.2
and hence determine its diffusivity. 1 1.6
1.5 3.8
3. Conduct and experiment to study the influence of 2 4.1
2.5 4.8
the concentration on the diffusivity. 3 5.1
3.5 5.4
METHODOLOGY 4 5.6
METHODOLOGY 4.5 5.8
5 5.8
Conductivity measurement 5.5 5.8

1. Push the “Power Off/On Button” to power the

Concentration = 0.8M
instrument.
2. The instrument will default to 2% per oC Conductivity = 184.3 µS
temperature compensation factor. The meter
Table 2. Conductivity of 0.8M Concentration
has a built-in automatic Temperature
Compensation adjustable between 0 to 5% Time (min) Conductivity
per oC. (to change the default value please (mS)
0.5 1.1
refer to Diffusion Laboratory Manual, pg. 26, 1 3.2
4-1 conductivity measurement, nos. 2 – 3). 1.5 7.3
2 12
3. Immerse the conductivity electrode into the 2.5 16.9
solution, up to the immersion level. 3 19.4
3.5 21.3
4. During the measurement, the lower LCD
4 23.1
display will show the conductivity and 4.5 24.9
temperature of the solution. 5 26
5.5 26.4
5. Record the conductivity with the 6 27.5
corresponding concentration of 0.2 M and 0.8 6.5 28.2
7 28.9
M. 7.5 29.7
6. Obtain the limiting molar conductivity by 8 29.7
8.5 30.3
linear regression.
9 29.9
9.5 29.7
DATA AND RESULTS 10 30.2
10.5 30.7
11 31.7
Results are shown below: 11.5 32.6
12 32.8
Concentration = 0.2M 12.5 33.2
Conductivity = 17.41 mS 13 33.6
13.5 35.2
T = 25.6 C 14 35.5
14.5 35.4
15 34.8
Table 1. Conductivity of 0.2M Concentration

2
ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION, & CONCLUSION After the experiment we were also led to making the
graph in respect with the values given:
The diffusion equipment is driven by a control
interface, which monitors the temperature driven by
the heater in the right side (coiled), which will be a
factor in hastening the diffusion process, since at
higher temperatures, molecules of a higher
concentration gradient will move towards a lower
concentration gradient at a faster rate. Agitation can
also affect the magnitude of the diffusion process, as
constant stirring would lead to even out the heat
exchange between the heated water and the
deionized (isolated) water. An agitator is present in
the unit, just under the diffusion unit. This property REFERENCES

was tested by putting some salt solution in the

diffusion cell, which was colored to such extent that 1. Geankoplis, C.J. (1995). Transport Process and

the diffusion process would be visible in the naked Unit Operations, 3rd edition

eye. However, the cell seems to be not working well, 2. Shilajyan, H.A. (2013). Electrical Conductivity of

and in so doing, the experiment is left with the other Potassium Salt- Dimethylsulfoxide-water

option in focusing on determining the molar Systems at Different Temperatures. Chair of

conductivity of solutions that have strong electrolytes Physical and Colloid Chemistry. P3-6.

in them. This is done by using a handheld conductivity

meter.
Two different sodium chloride solutions are prepared,
starting from 1.0 M, decrementing by 0.2 M until
reaching 0.2M. Its molar conductivity is measured
using the conductivity meter in mS.

The objective of the experiment was to obtain

respective conductivities of different concentrations of
sodium chloride solution and determine the limiting
molar conductivity by linear regression. The
instrument used had problems that may have affected
the whole outcome of the experiment. As a solution to
the problem, only theoretical data was used. And by
this, it was assumed that there would be errors with
regards to the comparison of values in the latter part
of the experiment