1

Table of Contents

Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 3
1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 4
2.0 Experimental Design.......................................................................................................... 7
2.1 Materials and Apparatus ............................................................................................... 7
2.2 Methods ........................................................................................................................... 8
2.3 Procedure ........................................................................................................................ 8
3.0 Results and Discussion ....................................................................................................... 9
4.0 Error Analysis .................................................................................................................. 16
5.0 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 17
6.0 References ......................................................................................................................... 18

2
Abstract

The objective of the experiment is to apply the Stefan-Winkelmann method to determine the
diffusivity of acetone in air. Acetone is being inserted into a T-shaped capillary tube, and
flowing air is passed through the top part of the capillary tube. In this scenario, the vapour
pressure of acetone at the top part of the capillary tube can be assumed to be zero. Air is
assumed to not diffuse into acetone. The capillary tube is placed into a water bath of 45 °C to
𝑚2
hasten the evaporation of acetone. The experimental diffusivity obtained was 5.57 × 10−6 ,
𝑠

which is 60.9% lower than the theoretical diffusivity of acetone obtained from Perry’s
𝑚2
Chemical Engineering Handbook, which is 1.424 × 10−5 at 45 °C. The error could be
𝑠

caused from random errors that arise from the scale in the microscope which is blurry and has
low sensitivity. A clearer scale with higher sensitivity would be preferred for more accurate
data collection.

3
1.0 Introduction

Mass transfer is where a mass moves from one location to another. Applications of mass
transfer include the field of distillation, dehumidification, absorption, etc. There are two modes
of mass transfer, namely molecular diffusion and convective mass transfer [1].

Molecular diffusion is the movement of molecules by random movements of molecules

through a fluid due to a driving force. The driving force may be partial pressure, temperature
or concentration differences. Diffusion occurs until an equilibrium condition is achieved. In
contrast, convective mass transfer are molecules that move due to forced molecular motion.
Molecular diffusion is a slower process compared to convective mass transfer [2]. Fig. 1.1
shows an example of molecular diffusion and convective diffusion in two beakers. A lump of
sugar is placed in the first beaker and it will take time to diffuse in in the water and this is called
the molecular diffusion. When a spoon is placed to stir the mixture, the sugar diffuses faster
and this is called convective mass transfer. Hence, it is important to have a better understanding
on diffusion.

Figure 1.1: Molecular diffusion and convective mass transfer.

The scenario for the experiment is depicted in Fig. 1.2, where acetone diffuses into air but air
is assumed to not diffuse into acetone [3]. This is the case of gaseous diffusion of A (acetone)
in stagnant B (air). There are two methods to calculate the diffusivity of acetone in air, namely
Fick’s First Law and the Stefan-Winkelmann method. The experiment is planned to apply the
Stefan-Winkelmann method to determine the diffusivity. The Stefan-Winkelmann method

4
considers the rate of evaporation and the rate of descend of the level of the acetone within the
tube over time [4].

Figure 1.2: T-shaped capillary tube for the Stefan-Winkelmann method.

The system is assumed to be a steady state system where there is no accumulation of acetone
in the top of the capillary tube as the flowing air is assumed to flush out the all vaporized
acetone at any given time. Moreover, air is assumed to not diffuse into the acetone.

From the assumptions that are made, Eqn. (1) is formed.

C C
N′A = DAB ( LA )(C T ) (1)
BM

The rate of evaporation, N′A , is also given as

ρL dL (2)
N′A = ( )
M dt

Thus,

ρL dL CA CT (3)
= D𝐴𝐵 ( ) ( )
M dt L CBM

5
By integrating and rearranging Eqn. (3), an equation of straight line is formed

t ρL CBM ρL CBM
=( )( ) (L − LO ) + ( )L (4)
(L − LO ) 2MDAB CA CT MDAB CA CT O

t ρ C ρ CBM
where, = y-axis; (2MDL ) (C BM ) = gradient; L − LO = x-axis, (MD L )LO = y-
(L−LO ) AB C
A T AB CA CT
intercept.

Eqn. (4) is used to calculate the diffusivity, DAB by plotting a graph.

6
2.0 Experimental Design

T-shape
Thermometer
capillary
tube
Water tank
Vernier height
gauge
Temperature
Microscope
controller

Figure 2.1: The Armfield Gaseous Diffusion Coefficient apparatus.

2.1 Materials and Apparatus

1. Acetone
2. Distilled water
3. Thermometer
4. Syringe
5. 50 mL beaker
6. Stopwatch
7. Armfield Gaseous Diffusion Coefficient apparatus

7
2.2 Methods

Acetone is filled into the T-shaped capillary tube using a syringe. The level of acetone should
be in a way when the capillary tube is installed onto the Armfield apparatus, the level of acetone
is below the level of the water bath for uniform heat transfer. When the capillary tube is
installed, a hose which carries flowing air is inserted to one end of the capillary tube. This
allows the assumption of zero vapour pressure of acetone along the horizontal part of the T-
shaped capillary tube. Furthermore, the water bath is set to 45 ℃ which is beyond room
temperature to facilitate the evaporation of acetone. The image shown in the microscope is
inverted, hence the values on the scale within the microscope are the height of the acetone, not
the diffusion path.

2.3 Procedure

1. Distilled water is poured into the water tank of the Armfield apparatus.
2. The distilled water within the tank is heated to 45 °C by turning on the heater of the
apparatus.
3. The T-shaped capillary tube was filled with acetone drop by drop using a syringe. The
level of the acetone must be below the level of the water bath after installation. Excess
acetone is to be removed.
4. The capillary tube is installed onto the apparatus and tightened gently.
5. A hose is attached to the top of the capillary tube to allow flowing air to pass through.
6. The microscope is adjusted so that the scale within it sits beside the column of acetone
fluid.
7. The initial height of acetone is recorded.
8. The stopwatch is started, and the air pump is switched on simultaneously.
9. The height of acetone is recorded every 5 minutes for a total duration of 100 minutes.
10. All readings are tabulated, and the corresponding graph was plotted.

8
3.0 Results and Discussion

Table 3.1: The recorded results.

Initial Acetone 𝐭
Acetone Diffusion path
acetone height 𝐋−𝐋𝐨
Time, t (s) height, h difference,
height, h0 difference, 𝒔
(mm) L – Lo (mm) ( )
(mm) (h0 – h) (mm) 𝒎𝒎

0 7.9 7.9 0.0 0.0 0

300 7.9 7.8 0.1 0.1 3000
600 7.9 7.7 0.2 0.2 3000
900 7.9 7.6 0.3 0.3 3000
1200 7.9 7.5 0.4 0.4 3000
1500 7.9 7.4 0.5 0.5 3000
1800 7.9 7.3 0.6 0.6 3000
2100 7.9 7.2 0.7 0.7 3000
2400 7.9 7.1 0.8 0.8 3000
2700 7.9 7.0 0.9 0.9 3000
3000 7.9 6.9 1.0 1.0 3000
3300 7.9 6.8 1.1 1.1 3000
3600 7.9 6.7 1.2 1.2 3000
3900 7.9 6.6 1.3 1.3 3000
4200 7.9 6.5 1.4 1.4 3000
4500 7.9 6.4 1.5 1.5 3000
4800 7.9 6.3 1.6 1.6 3000
5100 7.9 6.2 1.7 1.7 3000
5400 7.9 6.1 1.8 1.8 3000
5700 7.9 6.0 1.9 1.9 3000
6000 7.9 5.9 2.0 2.0 3000

9
 Figure 3.1: The illustration of measurements surrounding the capillary tube.

From Fig. 3.1, h0 – h is shown to be equal to L – L0, where h = height of acetone at any given
time, h0 = initial height of acetone, L = diffusion path of acetone at any given time, and L0 =
initial diffusion path of acetone.

A sample calculation to compute L – L0 is as below.

From Table 3.1, h0 = 7.9 mm, and h = 7.8 mm at t = 300 s.

𝐿 − 𝐿0 = ℎ0 − ℎ (5)

At 300 s,

𝐿 − 𝐿0 = ℎ0 − ℎ
= 7.9 − 7.8
= 0.1 𝑚𝑚

10
 3500

3000

2500
t / (L - Lo) (s/mm) Trendline
y = 38.961x + 2428.6
2000
R² = 0.1364
1500

1000

500

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 2
Acetone Height Difference, (L - Lo) (mm)

𝐭
Figure 3.2: Graph of against acetone height difference, L – Lo.
𝐋−𝐋𝐨

From the Trendline equation in Fig. 3.2,

𝑠
Gradient = 38.961
𝑚𝑚2
𝑠
= 3.8961 × 107
𝑚2

𝑠
y-intercept = 2428.6 𝑚𝑚
𝑠
= 2.4286 × 106 𝑚

The total concentration, CT can be calculated using

1 𝑇𝑆𝑡𝑑
𝐶𝑇 = × (6)
𝑀𝑉𝑆𝑇𝑃 𝑇𝑎

where, MVSTP = molar volume of acetone at Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP); TStd
= standard temperature; Ta = temperature of acetone.

11
The concentration of B (air) at point 2 (just above the meniscus of acetone), CB2 can be
calculated by

𝐶𝐵2 = 𝑦𝐵2 𝐶𝑇
𝑃𝑎 −𝑃𝐴2
= × 𝐶𝑇 (7)
𝑃𝑎

where yB2 = mole fraction of air at point 2; CT = total concentration; Pa = atmospheric

pressure; PA2 = vapour pressure of acetone at point 2.

The concentration of A (acetone) at point 2, CA2 can be calculated by

𝐶𝐴2 = 𝑦𝐴2 𝐶𝑇
𝑃𝐴2
= × 𝐶𝑇 (8)
𝑃𝑎

where yA2 = mole fraction of acetone at point 2; CT = total concentration; PA2 = vapour
pressure of acetone at point 2; Pa = atmospheric pressure.

The log mean concentration difference of B (air), CBM is given as

𝐶𝐵1 − 𝐶𝐵2
𝐶𝐵𝑀 = (9)
𝐶
𝑙𝑛 𝐶𝐵1
𝐵2

where CB1 = concentration of air at point 1; CB2 = concentration of air at point 2.

By comparing Eqn. (8) and the Trendline equation in Fig. 3.2, it can be deduced that

𝜌𝐴 𝐶𝐵𝑀 𝑠
× = 3.8961 × 107 2 (10)
2𝑀𝐴 𝐷 𝐶𝐴 𝐶𝑇 𝑚
and
𝜌𝐴 𝐶𝐵𝑀 𝑠
× × 𝐿0 = 2.4286 × 106 2 (11)
𝑀𝐴 𝐷 𝐶𝐴 𝐶𝑇 𝑚

12
Calculations

From Eqn. (6),

1 𝑇𝑆𝑡𝑑
𝐶𝑇 = ×
𝑀𝑉𝑆𝑇𝑃 𝑇𝑎
1 273
= ×
22.4 313
𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 0.03894
𝑚3

CB1 is equal to CT as it is assumed that there is no acetone (A) present at any given time in the
region of fast flowing air (point 1).

𝐶𝐵1 = 𝐶𝑇
𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 0.03894
𝑚3

Pa = 101.3 kPa and PA2 is given as 56 kPa.

From Eqn. (7),

𝑃𝑎 −𝑃𝐴2
𝐶𝐵2 = × 𝐶𝑇
𝑃𝑎
101.3−56
= × 0.03894
101.3
𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 0.01741
𝑚3

From Eqn. (8),

𝑃𝐴2
𝐶𝐴2 = × 𝐶𝑇
𝑃𝑎
56
= 101.3 × 0.03894
𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 0.02153
𝑚3

13
From Eqn. (9),

𝐶𝐵1 −𝐶𝐵2
𝐶𝐵𝑀 = 𝐶
𝑙𝑛 𝐵1
𝐶𝐵2

0.03894−0.01741
= 0.03894
𝑙𝑛
0.01741
𝑘𝑚𝑜𝑙
= 0.02675 𝑚3

𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔
Density of acetone, ρA = 790 𝑚3 and molecular mass of acetone, 𝑀𝐴 = 58.08 .
𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙

From Eqn. (10),

𝜌𝐴 𝐶𝐵𝑀 𝑠
× = 3.8961 × 107 2
2𝑀𝐴 𝐷 𝐶𝐴 𝐶𝑇 𝑚
𝜌𝐴 𝐶𝐵𝑀 1
𝐷= × ×
2𝑀𝐴 𝐶𝐴 𝐶𝑇 3.8961×107
790 0.02675 1
= × ×
2×58.08 0.02153×0.03894 3.8961×107
𝑚2
= 5.57 × 10−6 𝑠

From Eqn. (11),

𝜌𝐴 𝐶 𝑠
× 𝐶 𝐵𝑀 × 𝐿0 = 2.4286 × 106
𝑀𝐴 𝐷 𝐶
𝐴 𝑇 𝑚2

𝑀𝐴 𝐷 𝐶𝐴 𝐶𝑇
𝐿0 = × × (2.4286 × 106 )
𝜌𝐴 𝐶𝐵𝑀

58.08×5.57×10−6 0.02153×0.03894
= × × (2.4286 × 106 )
790 0.02675

= 3.12 cm

14
 Figure 3.3: The theoretical diffusivity of acetone in air, indicated in the red box [5].

𝑐𝑚2
Based on Fig. 3.3, the theoretical diffusivity of acetone in air, Dt is 0.109 or 1.09 ×
𝑠
𝑚2
10−5 at 0 °C.
𝑠

Using the following correlation for gaseous pairs to estimate the theoretical diffusivity of
acetone in air at 45 °C,

𝐷 ∝ 𝑇 1.75

𝐷 = 𝑘 × 𝑇 1.75 (12)
𝐷𝑡,45 °𝐶 = 𝑘 × 3181.75
1.09×10−5
= × 3181.75
2731.75
𝑚2
= 1.424 × 10−5 𝑠

𝑚2
The diffusivity of acetone in air at 45 °C is calculated to be 5.57 × 10−6 . In order to
𝑠
𝑚2
achieve the theoretical value of 1.424 × 10−5 , the slope of the trendline in Fig. 3.2 must
𝑠

be 39% higher. The difference between the experimental and theoretical values may be due to
several shortcomings of the experimental equipment and the user. Furthermore, the initial
distance of mass transfer, L0 is found to be 3.12 cm using the y-intercept of the trendline in Fig.
3.2.

15
4.0 Error Analysis

𝑚2
The experimental diffusivity, De is determined as 5.57 × 10−6 and the theoretical
𝑠
𝑚2
diffusivity, Dt is 1.424 × 10−5 . The percentage error is calculated using the following
𝑠

equation:

𝐷𝑒 − 𝐷𝑡
% 𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 = × 100% (13)
𝐷𝑡
5.57×10−6 −1.424×10−5
= × 100%
1.424×10−5

= − 60.9%

The percentage error between experimental and theoretical diffusivities is – 60.9%, which is
quite significant. The error also indicates that less diffusion of acetone into air is taking place
experimentally than the theoretical value suggests. The source of error may be due to scale that
is used to measure the height of acetone in the capillary tube which can be seen by using the
microscope of the experimental equipment. The scale and the indicators on it are blurry, which
may be due to the lens of the microscope, thus making it difficult to read and collect the data
accurately. Furthermore, the scale only has a sensitivity of 0.1 mm, combined with the blurry
scale, the experimental data which were collected are only estimates from the real experimental
data.

In order to minimize the errors that arise from the experiment, a visually clear scale should be
used, or the lens of the microscope should be cleaned before starting the experiment. Moreover,
an electronic system could be used to measure the difference in height of the acetone to
minimize human and random errors.

16
5.0 Conclusion

𝑚2
The experimental diffusivity of acetone into air is determined to be 5.57 × 10−6 , which is
𝑠
𝑚2
60.9% more than the theoretical value of 1.424 × 10−5 from Perry’s Chemical Engineers’
𝑠

Handbook. The initial diffusion path of acetone and air, L0 is found to be 3.12 cm. A blurry
scale which may be due to the lens of the microscope of the experimental equipment, may be
the source of the error between experimental and theoretical diffusivities. In order to minimize
the error that occurs, the lens of the microscope is encouraged to be cleaned before initiating
the experiment or a digital measurement system could be used.

17
6.0 References

[1] IDC Technologies 2019, 06 Mass Transfer and Its Applications, viewed 22 May
2019, <http://www.packet-
one.com/docsp1/Mass%20Transfer%20and%20Its%20Applications.pdf>.

[2] Reisfeld, B 2019, Mass Transfer, Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering - Colorado
State University, viewed 20 May 2019,
<https://www.engr.colostate.edu/CBE101/topics/mass_transfer.html>.

[3] Guwahati 2012, Module 2, Diffusion, NPTEL, viewed 20 May 2019,

<https://nptel.ac.in/courses/103103035/3>.

[4] Coca, J, Bueno, JL, Alvarez, R 1980, ‘Gaseous Diffusion Coefficients by the Stefan-
Winkelmann Method Using a Polymer-Solvent Mixture as Evaporation Source’, Ind. Eng.
Chem. Fundamen., vol. 19, no. 2, pp. 219-221, viewed 22 May 2019,
<https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/i160074a016?journalCode=iecfa7>.

[5] Perry, RH, Green, DW & Maloney, JO 1997, Perry’s Chemical Engineers’
Handbook, R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company, United States of America, viewed 4 May
2019, <https://chembugs.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/perrys-chemical-engineering-
handbook1.pdf>.

18