UNIT: V MASS TRANSFER

1. What is mass transfer?

The process of transfer of mass as a result of the species
concentration difference in a mixture is known as mass transfer.
2. Give the examples of mass transfer.
Some examples of mass transfer.
1. Humidification of air in cooling tower
2. Evaporation of petrol in the carburettor of an IC engine.
3. The transfer of water vapour into dry air.

3. What are the modes of mass transfer? (Nov/Dec 2010)(Nov/Dec 2104)

There are basically two modes of mass transfer,
1. Diffusion mass transfer 2. Convective mass transfer
4. What is molecular diffusion?
The transport of water on a microscopic level as a result of diffusion
from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration in
a mixture of liquids or gases is known as molecular diffusion.
5. What is Eddy diffusion?
When one of the diffusion fluids is in turbulent motion, eddy
diffusion takes place.
6. What is convective mass transfer? (May/June 2006)
Convective mass transfer is a process of mass transfer that will
occur between surface and a fluid medium when they are at different
concentration.
7. State Fick’s law of diffusion. (April/May 2012) (NOV-DEC 14)( Nov/Dec
16)
The diffusion rate is given by the Fick’s law, which states that molar
flux of an element per unit area is directly proportional to concentration
gradient.
ma dCa
  Dab
A dx
Where,
 ma kg  mole
 Molar flux,
A s  m2
Dab- Diffusion coefficient of species a and b, m2/s
dCa
 Concentration gradient, kg/m3
dx
8. What is free convective mass transfer?
If the fluid motion is produced due to change in density resulting
from concentration gradients, the mode of mass transfer is said to be free
or natural convective mass transfer.
Example: Evaporation of alcohol.
9. Define forced convective mass transfer.
If the fluid motion is artificially created by means of an external
force like a blower or fan, that type of mass transfer is known as convective
mass transfer.
Example: The evaluation if water from an ocean when air blows over
it.
10. Define Schmidt and Lewis number. What is the physical significance of
each? (NOV/DEC 13)
The dimensionless Schmidt number is defined as the ratio of momentum
diffusivity to mass diffusivity Sc = ν/DAB , and it represents the relative
magnitudes of momentum and mass diffusion at molecular level in the velocity
and concentration boundary layers, respectively. The Schmidt number diffusivity
corresponds to the Prandtl number in heat transfer. A Schmidt number of unity
indicates that momentum and mass transfer by diffusion are comparable, and
velocity and concentration boundary layers almost coincide with each other.
The dimensionless Lewis number is defined as the ratio of thermal
diffusivity to mass diffusivity Le = α / DAB and it represents the relative
magnitudes of heat and mass diffusion at molecular level in the thermal and
concentration boundary layers, respectively. A Lewis number of unity indicates
that heat and mass diffuse at the same rate, and the thermal and concentration
boundary layers coincide.
11. Define Sherwood Number. (April/May 2012)
It is defined as the ratio of concentration gradients at the boundary.
hmX
Sc 
Dab

hm- Mass transfer coefficient, m/s

Dab-Diffusion coefficient, m2/s
X- length, m
12. What is mass average velocity?( May/June 2010)
The bulk velocity of mixture , in which different compents mat have
different mobilites ,is compared either on mass average . if luid mixture of two
components A and B if uA and uB are the mean velocties then the average velocity
is
u mass = (ρA uA+ ρB uB)/ ρA + ρB
13. Distinguish between mass concentration and molar concentration
(April/May 2017)
Mass Concentration
Mass of a component per unit volume of the mixture. It is expressed in kg/m3

Mass concentration =

Molar concentration
Number of molecules of a component per unit volume of the mixture. It is
expressed in Kg – mole /m3

Molar concentration=

14. Define schmidt number and state its physical significance. ) ( Nov/Dec
16)
Schmidt number (Sc) is a dimensionless number defined as the ratio of
momentum diffusivity (viscosity) and mass diffusivity, and is used to characterize
fluid flows in which there are simultaneous momentum and mass diffusion
convection processes.
Significance:
Analogous of Prandtl number in Heat Transfer. Used in fluid flows in which
there is simultaneous momentum & mass diffusion. It is also ratio of fluid
boundary layer to mass transfer boundary layer thickness.
1. A vessel contains binary mixture of O 2 and N2 with partial pressure in
the ratio 0.21 and 0.79 at 15oC =. The total pressure of the mixture is 1.1
bar. Calculate the following.
I. Molar concentrations
II. Mass densities
III. Mass fractions
IV. Molar fraction of each species.
[APRIL/MAY 2014; NOV/DEC 2015]

Given:
Partial pressure of O2 =0.21 x total pressure
(Po2)= 0.21 x 1.1
Po2= 0.231 x 105 N/m2
So partial pressure of N 2= PN2=86.9 x 103 N/m2
Temperature T = 15o C =288 K

To find
I. Molar concentrations, Co2, CN2
II. Mass densities, ρO2, ρN2
III. Mass fractions, ṁO2,ṁN2
IV. Molar fraction of each species.xO2, XN2

Solution:
STEP-1
po2
Molar concentration, co 2 
GT
Universal Gas Constant, G= 8314 J/kg mole K
0.231105
Co2 
8314  288
Co2  9.64 10 3 kg  mole / m3
pN 2
CN 2 
GT
 86.9 103
CN 2 
8314  288
C N 2  0.036kg  mole / m3
Total concentration,
C= Co2 + CN2 = 0.045 kg mole/m3
STEP-2
Molar concentration

C

 O 2  CO 2  O 2

= 9.64 x 10-3 x 32
O 2  0.308kg / m3
=0.0362 x 28
 N 2  1.013kg / m 3

Overall density,   O2   N 2

= 0.308 + 1.10136
  1.3216kg / m3
STEP-3
 02 0.308
Mass fractions ṁ02 = 
 1.3216
ṁ02= 0.233
 N 2 1.0136
ṁN2 = 
 1.3216
ṁN2 =
0.766 STEP-4
C 02 9.64  10 3
Mole fractions, X02 = C  0.045

XO2 = 0.210
C N 2 0.0362
XN2 = 
C 0.045
XO2 = 0.804
RESULT:
I. Molar concentrations, Co2, = 9.64  10 3 kg  mole / m 3

CN2, = C N 2  0.036kg  mole / m3

II. Mass densities, O 2  0.308kg / m3

 N 2  1.013kg / m 3

III. Mass fractions, ṁO2 = 0.233

ṁN2 = 0.766
IV. Molar fraction of each species.XO2 = 0.210
XN2 = 0.804

2. Air at 20oC (ρ = 1.205 kg/m3; υ = 15.06 x 10-6 m2/s; D = 4.16 x 10-6

m2/s) flows over a tray (length =32 cm, width = 42 cm) full of water
with a velocity of 2.8 m/s. The total pressure of moving air is 1 atm
and the partial pressure of water present in the air is 0.00658 bar. If
the temperature on the water surface is15oC calculate the
evaporation rate of water.

(MAY/JUNE 2012; NOV/DEC 2014; NOV/DEC 2015; APRIL/MAY 2016)

Given:
Fluid temperature, T∞=20oC
Speed, U = 2.8 m/s
Flow direction is 32 cm side. So, x = 32 cm = 0.32 m
Area, A =32 cm x 42 cm = 0.32x0.42 m2
Partial pressure of water, Pw2=0.0068 bar
Pw2=0.0068 x 105 N/m2
Water surface temperature, Tw = 15oC
To find:
Evaporation rate of water (Mw)
Solution:
Properties of air is given
ρ = 1.205 kg/m3;
υ = 15.06 x 10-6 m2/s;
 Diffusion coefficient D = 4.16 x 10-6 m2/s
STEP-1
UL 2.8  0.32
Re  =
 15.06  10 6
= 0.594 x 105 < 5 x 105
Since Re < 5 x 105, flow is laminar
Flat plate laminar flow:
Sherwood number (Sh) = [0.664 (Re) 0.5 (Sc)0.333] . ......... {1}
[From HMT data book, P.no-175]
STEP-2
 15.06  10 6
Sc  Schmidt number = =
Dab 4.16  10 5

Sc = 0.3620
Sub Sc, Re in {1}
(Sh) = [0.664 (0.594 x 105)0.5 (0.3620)0.333]
Sh= 115.37

STEP-3
hm L
Sherwood number Sh =
Dab

hm 0.32
115.37 
4.16  105
hm= 0.0149 m/s
STEP-4
Mass transfer coefficient based on pressure difference is given
hm 0.0149
hmp  = [Tw=15oC +273=288 K, So R= 287 J/kg K]
RTw 287  288

hmp=1.80x10-7 m/s
Saturation pressure of water at 15oC
Pw1=0.017 bar
Pw1 = 0.017 x 105 N/m2 [From steam table (R.S khurmi) P.no-1]
STEP-5
The evaporation of water
 Mw = hmp x A (Pw1- Pw2)

Mw = 2.66 x 10-5 kg/s

Result:
The evaporation rate of water Mw = 2.66 x 10-5 kg/s

3. Dry air at 270c and 1 atm flows over a wet flat plate 50 cm long at a
velocity of 50 m/s. Calculate the mass transfer coefficient of water
vapour in air at the end of the plate.

(NOV/DEC 2014; APRIL/MAY 2015) (NOV/DEC

2013)
Given:
Fluid temperature T∞=270c
Velocity u=50 m/s
Length x = 35mm =0.035 m

To find:
Mass transfer co-efficient,(hm)
Solution:
STEP-1
Properties of at 270C:
V=16 x 10-6 m2/s
UL 50  0.035
Re  =
 16  10 6
= 1.09375 x 105 < 5 x 105
Since Re < 5 x 105, flow is laminar
Flat plate laminar flow:
Sherwood number (Sh) = [0.664 (Re) 0.5 (Sc)0.333] . ......... {1}
[From HMT data book, P.no-175]
STEP-2
[D ab-Diffusion coefficient (water+ air) @ 270c = 25.38 x10-6 m2/
s]
  16  10 6
Sc  Schmidt number = =
Dab 25.38  10 6

Sc = 0.6304
STEP-3
Sub Sc, Re in {1}
(Sh) = [0.664 (1.09375 x 105)0.5 (0.6304)0.333]
Sh= 188.32
STEP-4
hm L
Sherwood number Sh =
Dab

hm 0.35
188.32 
25.38  10 6
hm= 0.1365 m/s
Result:
Mass transfer coefficient of water vapour hm= 0.1365 m/s.

4. CO2 and air experience equimolar counter diffusion in a circular tube

whose length and diameter are 1 m and 50 mm respectively. The
system of total pressure of 1 atm and a temperature of 25 0C. The ends
of the tube are connected to large chambers in which the species
concentrations are maintained at fixed values.the partial pressure of
CO2at one end is 190 mm of Hg while at the other end is 95 mm Hg .
Estimate the mass transfer rate of CO 2and air through the tube.
[MAY/JUNE 2012; APRIL/MAY 2016]

Given:
Diameter,d=50mm=0.05m
Length=1m [x2-x1]
Total pressure ,p=1 atm =1bar
Temperature,T=250C= 298 K
Parital pressure of CO2 at one end
190
Pa1=190mm of Hg= bar
760
 Pa1= 0.25bar [1bar= 760 mm of Hg]
Pa1= 0.25x105N/m2 [1 bar = 105 N/mm2]
Parital pressure of CO2 at other end
95
Pa2=95mm of Hg= bar
760
Pa2= 0.0312 bar [1bar= 760 mm of Hg]
Pa2= 0.0312x105N/m2 [1 bar = 105 N/mm2]
To find:
1.Mass transfer rate of Co2
2. Mass transfer rate of air
Solution:
STEP-1
ma Dab [C a1  C a 2 ]

A GT [ X 2  X 1 ]

Diffusion coefficient (Dab) for CO2-Air combination is 11.89x10-6 m2/s

[HMT data book page no.180]
J
G-Universal gas constant -8314 (J/kg-mole-K)
kg  mole  K


A-Area  (d)2
4
A=1.9634x10-3 m2
ma Dab [C a1  C a 2 ]

A GT [ X 2  X 1 ]

ma 11.89  10 6 [0.25  10 5  0.031  10 5 ]


A 8314  298 [1]
kg  mole
Molar transfer rate of Co 2, ma = 1.050 x 10-7
s
STEP-2
We know,
Mass Transfer Rate Co2 = Molar Transfer x Molecular Weight
= 1.050 x 10-7 x 44.01
[Molecular weight of Co2 Refer HMT D.B Page 182]
Mass Transfer Rate Co2 = 4.625 x 10-6 kg/s
 kg  mole
Mass Transfer Rate of Air = mb= -1.050 x 10-7
s
STEP-3
[ ma= -mb]
Mass Transfer Rate Air = Molar Transfer x Molecular Weight of air
= 1.050 x 10-7 x 29
Mass Transfer Rate Air = -3.045 x 10-6 kg/s
Result:
1.Mass transfer rate of Co2 = 4.625 x 10-6 kg/s
2. Mass transfer rate of air = -3.045 x 10-6 kg/s
5. Discuss briefly the Analogy between heat and mass transfer.
[MAY/JUNE 2013; NOV/DEC 2015; APRIL/MAY 2016]
There is similarity among heat and mass transfer. The three basic
equations dealing with these are
I. Newtonian equation of momentum
II. Fourier law of heat transfer
III. Fick law of mass transfer

The momentum, heat and mass transfer equation can be written as

u v
Continuity equation,  0
dx dy

u v  2u
Momentum transfer, u v v 2
dx dy dy

T T  2u
Heat transfer, u v  2
x y y

Ca Cn  2 Ca
Mass transfer, u v D
x y y 2

Heat and mass transfer takes place due to temperature difference. As per
Fourier’s law of conduction
dt
Q  kA
dx
Where Q= rate of heat transfer
K= thermal conductivity of material
 A= Heat transfer area
dt
= Temperature gradient
dx
As per Newton’s law of cooling
Q  hAT

Where h= heat transfer coefficient

Mass transfer takes place due to concentration difference.
As per Fick’s law of diffusion
mA dC A
Na    D AB
A dx
mA = Mass flow rate of species A by diffusion.
A = Area through which mass is flowing
DAB = Diffusion coefficient.
dC A
= concentration gradient.
dx

6. Explain Equimolar Counter diffusion in gases.

[APRIL/MAY 2013; NOV/DEC 2014]

Two large chambers ‘a’ and ‘b’ connected by a passage as shown

below.
 Na and Nb are the steady state molar diffusion rates of component a and b
respectively.
Equimolar diffusion is defined as each molecule of ‘a’ is replaced by each
molecule of ‘b’ and vice versa. The total pressure p  pa  pb is uniform

throughout the system.

P  Pa  Pb
Differentiating with respect to x
dP dPa dPb
 
dx dx dx
Since the total pressure of the system remains constant under steady state
conditions
dP dPa dPb
  0
dx dx dx
dPa dPa

dx dx
Let the total molar flux is zero, Na + Nb = 0
 Na = -Nb

A dPa A dPb
 DBA  DBA
From flick’s law, GT dx GT dx

DAB = DBA = D
2
ma A dPA
GT 1 dx
Na   D
A
 ma A  Pa1  Pa 2 
Na   D
Molar flux, A GT  x 2  x1 

Similarly,
mb A  Pb1  Pb 2 
Nb   D
A GT  x 2  x1 

Where,
ma kg  mole
 Molar flux
A s  m2
D- Diffusion coefficient
J
G- Universal constant- 8314
kg  mole  K

A- Area – m2

Pa1- Partial pressure of constituent at 1 in N/m2

Pa2- Partial pressure of constituent at 2 in N/m2
T – Temperature – K

7. An open pan of 150 mm diameter and 75 mm deep contains water at

25oC and is exposed to atmosphere air at 25oC and 50oC R.H. calculate
the evaporation rate of water in grams per hour.
[APRIL/MAY 2002]

Given:
Diameter, d = 150 mm = 0.150 m
Deep, (x2-x1) = 75 mm = 0.075 m
Temperature, T = 25oC+273 = 298 K
Relative Humidity = 50%

To Find:
Evaporation rate of water in grams per hour.
Solution:
Diffusion co-efficient (Dab) [water + air] at 25oC
[From HMT data book, page no, 180]
 Dab = 25.83 x 10-6 m2/s
STEP-1
We know that, for isothermal evaporation,
ma Dab p  P  Pw2 
Molar flux,  ln 
A GT x 2  x1   P  Pw1 

Area, A = 0.0176 m2
P = Total pressure = 1 atm = 1.013 x 10 5
N/mm2
Pw1 = Partial pressure at the bottom
of the test tube corresponding to
saturation temperature 25oC.
At 25oC
 Pw1 = 0.03166 x 105 N/mm2 [From steam table p.no 2]

Pw2 = Partial pressure at the top of the pan corresponding to 25oC and
50oC relative humidity.
At 25oC
 Pw2 = 0.03166 x 105
R.H = 50% = 0.50
Pw2 = 0.03166 x 105 x 0.50

 Pw2 = 1583 N/m2

STEP-2 ma 25.83  10 6 1.013  10 5  1.013  10 5  1583 

  ln  5 
0.076 8314  298 0.075 1.013  10  0.03166  10 
5

kg  mole
Molar rate of water vapour, ma = 3.96 x10-9
s

STEP-3
Mass rate of water vapour = molar rate of water vapour X molecular weight
of steam
= 3.96 x 10-9 x 18.016 kg/s
Mass rate of water vapour = 0.256 g/h
Result:
 Evaporation rate of water = 0.256 g/h.

Evaporation rate of water = 0.256 g/h.

1. Two large tanks ,maintained at the same temperature and pressure

are connected by a circular 0.15m diameter direct, which is 3 m length
.One tank contains a uniform mixture 0f 60 mole % ammonia and 40 mole
% air and other tank contains a uniform mixture of 20 mole % ammonia
and 80 mole % air. The system is at 273 K and 1.013 x 10 5 pa . Determine
the rate of ammonia transfer between the two tanks.Assuming a steady
state mass transfer.
Given:
Diameter d= 0.15 m
Length (x2-x1)=3 m
60
Pa1= =0.6 bar = 0.6 x 105 N/m2
40
40
Pb1= =0.4 bar = 0.4 x 105 N/m2
40
20
Pa2= =0.2 bar = 0.2 x 105 N/m2
40
80
Pb2= =0.8 bar = 0.8 x 105 N/m2
40
T= 273 K
P=1.013 x 105 N/m2

a-Ammonia
b-Air
To find
Rate of ammonia transfer
Solution:
Equimolar counter diffusion
Molar flux,

Where G –universal constant =8314 J/Kg-mole-K

A= area=

A=

A=0.017 m2

Dab-Diffusion co efficient of ammonia with air = 21.6 x 10 -6 m2/s

(From HMT data book P.No 180 (sixth edition)

Dab = 21.6 x 10-6 m2/s

(1) =

Molar transfer rate of ammonia ,ma = 2.15 X 10-9 Kg-mole/s

Mass transfer rate of ammonia = Molar transfer rate of ammonia x Molecular weight of
ammonia

= 2.15 X 10-9 x17.03 (Refer HMT data book P.No 182)

Mass transfer rate of ammonia = 3.66 x 10-8 Kg/s

Result

Mass transfer rate of ammonia = 3.66 x 10-8 Kg/s

2. An open pan 20cm in diameter and 8 cm deep contains water at

25 and is exposed to dry atmospheric air.If the rate of diffusion of water
vapour is 8.5 x 10-4 kg/h, estimate the diffusion co efficient of water in air.

Given :

Diameter d= 20 cm = 0.20 m
Length (x2-x1) = 8 cm = 0.08 m
Temperature T = 25 + 273 = 298 K
Diffusion rate (or)
Mass rate of water vapour = 8.54 x 10-4 kg/h
 =

= 2.37 x 10-7 kg/s

To find

Diffusion co efficient Dab

Solution
Molar rate of water vapour

We know that
Mass transfer rate of steam = Molar transfer rate of steam x Molecular weight of steam

Where
Area A=

A= 0.0314 m2

G –universal constant =8314 J/Kg-mole-K

P- Total Pressure = 1 atm = 1.013 bar = 1.013 x 105 N/m2
Pw1- Partial pressure at the bottom of the test tube corresponding to saturation
temperature 25
At 25 (From Rs Khurmi Steam table P.No 2)
Pw1 = 0.03166 x 105 N/m2
Pw2- Partial pressure at the top of the pan Hence air is dry and there is no water
vapour So, Pw2 =0
Pw2 =0
(1) =

Dab = 2.58 x 105 m2/s

Result
Diffusion coefficient , Dab = 2.58 x 105 m2/s