SOLTEQ® EQUIPMENT FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION

EXPERIMENTAL MANUAL

LIQUID DIFFUSION
COEFFICIENT

MODEL: BP 09

SOLUTION ENGINEERING SDN. BHD.

NO.3, JALAN TPK 2/4, TAMAN PERINDUSTRIAN KINRARA,
47100 PUCHONG, SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA.
TEL: 603-80758000 FAX: 603-80755784
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.solution.com.my

169-0711-BP
 ! " #
$# % " #

&

'
SOLTEQ® LIQUID DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 09)

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The knowledge of physical and chemical properties of certain materials is important because
very often process engineering deal with the transformation and distribution of these materials
in bulk. One such property is diffusivity. Mass transfer by diffusion takes place when there is a
concentration gradient of the diffusing component.

The SOLTEQ® Liquid Diffusion Coefficient Apparatus (Model: BP 09) has been designed
for students experiment on the technique of determining diffusivity of sodium chloride solution
in distilled water. A known concentration of sodium chloride solution is placed in a diffusion cell
immersed in distilled water. A magnetic stirrer and a conductivity meter are provided to monitor
the progress of diffusion over time. A plot of conductivity against time will allow for the
determination of the liquid diffusivity.

1
SOLTEQ® LIQUID DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 09)

Figure 1: Diagram for liquid diffusion coefficient apparatus.

2
SOLTEQ® LIQUID DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 09)

2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

2.1 Description and Assembly

Before operating the unit and running experiments, students must familiarize
themselves with every components of the unit. Please refer to Figure 1 to understand
the process.

1. Diffusion Cell
Material: Borosilicate glass
O.D.: 10 mm
Thickness: 1.5 mm
Capillary: 1 mm (bore) x 5 mm x 97 no’s. (Made of PVC)

2. Diffusion Vessel
Material: Clear acrylic
O.D.: 100 mm
Thickness: 3.0 mm
Height: 200 mm

3. Conductivity Meter
Brand/Model: EUTECH/ECOSCAN EC-CON603K
Sensor: EC-CONSEN 91 B
Range: 0 to 1,999 µS/cm (auto-ranging)
Temperature: ATC – PT100
Power: 4 x “AAA” Alkaline Batteries, auto off

4. Magnetic Stirrer
Brand/Model: BIG SQUID IKAMAG
Range: 0 – 1500 rpm
Electricity: 230VAC/1-Position /50-60Hz

2.2 Installation and Assembly

The BP 09 has been designed for bench mounting on a flat firm level surface.
The BP 09 only requires connection to a single-phase 240VAC electrical supply.
The BP 09 is supplied with most of the components pre-installed.
The BP 09 only requires an initial filling of distilled/de-ionized water prior to conducting
experiments.

3
SOLTEQ® LIQUID DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 09)

2.3 Safety Considerations

1. The unit must be operated under the supervision of an authorized staff that has
been properly trained to handle the unit.
2. All operating instructions supplied with the unit must be carefully read and
understood before attempting to operate the unit.
3. Feed stock which severely affects PTFE, PFA, PVC and borosilicate glass are not
to be used.
4. The system should not be subjected to shock, sudden impact, vibration, additional
load, or permanent external action of aggressive vapours.
5. Always check and rectify any leak.
6. Be extremely careful when handling hazardous, flammable or polluting materials.
7. Restore the system to operating conditions after any repair job.
8. Only a properly trained staff shall be allowed to carry out any servicing.
Manufacturer's manual must always be observed.
9. Do not use any coarse or abrasive cleaners on glass and plastic components.
10. Leaking couplings or fittings should be carefully retightened. Replace any gaskets
or seals if necessary.

2.4 Maintenance

1. Dispose all liquids immediately after each experiment.

2. Salt solution may attack the metal part of the equipment. Wipe off any spillage
from the unit immediately.

4
SOLTEQ® LIQUID DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 09)

3.0 SUMMARY OF THEORY

When a concentration gradient exists within a fluid consisting of two or more components, there
is a tendency for each constituent to flow in such a direction as to reduce the concentration
gradient. This is called mass transfer. Mass transfer takes place in either a gas phase or a
liquid phase or in both simultaneously.

When a known concentration of sodium chloride is placed in a diffusion cell and immersed in
distilled water, diffusion takes place. The vertical capillaries of 5 mm long and 1 mm bore
restrict the diffusion to one dimension.

The rate of diffusion is given by:

C
J  D (1)
x

where,
J = diffusion flux across unit area at right angles to the x-direction
D = diffusivity
∂C/∂x = concentration gradient in the x-direction

The –ve sign indicates that flow is from high to low concentration.

The appropriate units shall be:

J [≡] mole/cm2.sec
C [≡] mole/cm3
x [≡] cm
t [≡] seconds
D [≡] cm2/sec

The concentration at the lower ends chosen and taken to be constant and the concentration at
the top end is effectively zero during the experiment.

Therefore,

V dk  d 2  M
  D N
CM dt  4  x

4Vx dk
D  (2)
d NMC M dt
2

where,
V = volume of water in diffusion vessel [liters]
x = length of capillaries [cm]
d = diameter of capillaries [cm]
N = number of capillaries

5
SOLTEQ® LIQUID DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 09)

M = molar concentration of the salt solution [mol/liter]

CM = conductivity change per unit molar concentration change (dilute solution)
[S/mol.liter-1]
dk/dt = rate of change of conductivity with time

The slope obtained from the plot of conductivity as a function of time can be used to calculate
the diffusivity.

6
SOLTEQ® LIQUID DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 09)

4.0 OPERATING PROCEDURE

4.1 General Start-up Procedure

Prior to running an experiment, students are advised to perform the following start-up
procedure:

1. Fill the diffusion vessel with approximate 1.1 liter of distilled/de-ionized water.
Make sure that there is no air trap inside the conductivity probe protector.

2. Connect the conductivity probe BNC connector into the socket on the conductivity
meter. Insert the mini phono jack of temperature sensor (built-in) into the socket on
the conductivity meter. (Refer to manufacturer’s Instruction Manual for detail
operating instruction of the conductivity meter)

3. Plug the magnetic stirrer mains cable to the electrical supply. Be sure that the
voltage of the supply is correct to suit the equipment.

4. Press the ON button on the conductivity meter.

5. Switch on the magnetic stirrer and set the speed knob to the one and half position.

6. Read the conductivity value. Distilled/de-ionized water shall give a very low
reading.

7. The equipment is ready for student experiment.

4.2 General Shut-down Procedure

1. Switch off the magnetic stirrer and conductivity meter.

2. Disconnect both the BNC connector and the mini phono jack from the conductivity
meter.
3. Drain the solution in the diffusion vessel and cell.
4. Rinse the diffusion vessel and cell.

7
SOLTEQ® LIQUID DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 09)

5.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

OBJECTIVE:
To determine the liquid diffusion coefficient of NaCl solution in distilled / de-ionized water.
PROCEDURES:
1. Perform the start-up procedure as outlined in section 4.1.
2. Prepare a 1M NaCl solution in a container.
3. Fill the diffusion cell with the solution prepare in step 2. Make sure the capillary tubes are
in place. Completely fill the cell and wipe off any excess solution and ensure that there is
no air trap inside the capillary tube.
4. Carefully immerse the cell into the distilled/de-ionized water and position the cell until the
top of the capillaries is about 5 mm below the water level.
5. Switch on the conductivity meter. Switch on the magnetic stirrer. Reset and start the stop
watch.
6. After 10 minutes record the conductivity reading. Take readings every 5 minute intervals
until 40 minutes.
7. Repeat steps 1 to 6 for 2M and 4M NaCl solutions.

ANALYSIS & DISCUSSION:

1. Plot Conductivity against time. Determine the liquid diffusivity of sodium chloride solution
from the obtained slope, s.
2. Compare the experimental value with the theoretical value that can be predicted from
empirical equations.
3. Comment on the diffusivity values obtained at different NaCl concentration.

8
SOLTEQ® LIQUID DIFFUSION COEFFICIENT APPARATUS (Model: BP 09)

6.0 REFERENCES

Perry, R.H., Green, D.W. and Maloney, J.O. “Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook (6 th
Edition)”, McGraw-Hill, 1984.
McCabe, W.L., Smith, J.C. and Harriott, P. “Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering (5 th
Edition)”, McGraw-Hill, 1993.
Coulson, J.M. and Richardson, J.F. “Chemical Engineering, Volume 1 (3rd Edition)”, Pergamon
Press, 1977.
Coulson, J.M. and Richardson, J.F. “Chemical Engineering, Volume 6 (Revised 2 nd Edition)”,
Butterworth-Heinemann, 1996.
Himmelblau, D.M. “Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering (3rd Edition)”,
Prentice-Hall, 1974.
Chopey, N.P. “Handbook of Chemical Engineering Calculations (2nd Edition)”, McGraw-Hill,
1994.

9
APPENDIX A: SAMPLE TABLE FOR DATA COLLECTION

Volume of water, V = _________L

Length of capillaries, x = _________cm
Diameter of capillaries, d = _________cm
Number of capillaries, N = _________

1M NaCl 2M NaCl 4M NaCl

Solution Solution Solution
Time, t Conductivity, k Conductivity, k Conductivity, k
(s) (S) (S) (S)