No 3.

Liquid and Gaseous Diffusion Coefficient

#1. Liquid Diffusion Coefficient

1. Introduction

Physical and chemical processes depend on the properties of the materials involved.
Process engineering concerns itself with the transformation and distribution of materials in
bulk. The design and operation of engineering plant to achieve the desired changes in
materials has therefore to take into account the physical and chemical properties of these
materials. The most convenient medium is the fluid state, and hence the majority of plant
operations involve gases or liquids.
One of the most important properties of fluids in such situations is diffusivity. Fluid flow
and mass transfer operations depend partially on this property and such data is always
needed in plant design.

2. Objectives

To determine the diffusion coefficient of 2M NaCl solutions in distilled water

3. Materials and apparatus

3.1 Materials

2M NaCl, distilled water

3.2 Apparatus

Diffusion Cell, Stirrer Bar, Magnetic Stirrer, Conductivity Leads, Conductivity Meter
4. Theory

The rate of diffusion is expressed by the equation :

∂C
J = −D
∂x
where J is the diffusion flux across unit area at right angles to the x-direction.
D is the diffusion constant
∂C
and ∂x is the concentration gradient in the x-direction.
The negative sigh indicates that flow is from high to low concentrations.
If J is in mole/cm2 sec.
C is in mole/cm3.
x is in cm.
t is in seconds.
Then D will be in cm2sec-1.
The present apparatus uses vertical capillaries 5mm long and 1mm bore to restrict
diffusion to one dimension. The concentration at the lower ends chosen and taken to be
constant. The concentration at the top ends is effectively zero during the experiment.
 V dk πd 2 NM
= −D
CM dt 4x

4Vx dk
D=−
πd NMC M dt
2

Where
V = Volume of water in outer vessel in liters.(1 liter)
x = Length of capillaries in cm. (0.5cm)
d = Diameter of capillaries in cm (0.1cm)
N = Number of capillaries. (121)
M = Molarity of the salt solution

CM = Electrical conductivity change for unit molarity (Dilute solutions) Ω −1M −1

dk
dt = Rate of change of conductivity with time Ω −1 sec −1
Thus by plotting conductivity as a function of time the diffusion coefficient can be calculated
from the slop of the graph.

5. Experimental procedure

1. The cell is filled with 2M NaCl.

2. Completely fill the cell and wipe off any excess solution from the outside of the cell and
the top of the capillaries using filter paper

3. The cell is then clamped in position so that the tops of the capillaries lie parallel with the
graduation mark on the vessel and 5mm below it.

4. The vessel is then filled with 1 liter of distilled or deionized water to the graduation mark
i.e 5mm above the surface of the capillary tops.

5. The conductivity meter is connected to the electrodes in the cell by the leads provided

and a reading of 10
−4
Ω −1 or less should be obtained.

6. The stirrer is switched on to provide a gentle agitation at the filter surface and readings
of conductivity are taken at 20 seconds intervals.
6. Raw Data

Time(s) 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 … 1980 2000

Conductivity

7. Discussion

Conductivity is plotted as a function of time and the slope of the graph determined. This

is put into the equation derived to give the Diffusion Coefficient using
CM = 0.41 . If another

salt solution is used then

CM must be determined by calibrating the apparatus for low

concentration (0.001M to 0.002M).

Values of Diffusion Coefficient can be compared with those given in reference books.

8. Reference

8.1. W.L Mc Cabe and J.C. Smith, “Unit Operation of Chemical Engineering”, 3rd ed.,
McGraw-Hill, 1976.

8.2. R. Byron Bird, Warren E. Stewart and Edwin N. Lightfood, “Transport Phenomena”,
JOHN WILEY & SONS, 1960.

8.3. Willian M. Deen, “ Analysis of Transport Phenomena”, Oxford University Press,1998.

8.4. Bennett Myers, “Momentum, Heat and Mass Transfer”,3rd ed., McGraw-Hill,1983.

8.5. Morton M. Denn, “Process Fluid Mechanics”, Prentice-Hall, Inc.,1980.