UNSTEADY-STATE (MASS TRANSFER) DIFFUSION

For binary mixture:

∂c A ∂c ∂c ∂c ∂ 2c A ∂ 2c A ∂ 2c A
+ v x A + v y A + v z a = D AB ( + + ) + RA
∂t ∂x ∂y ∂z ∂x 2 ∂y 2 ∂z 2

For one-dimensional diffusion (without reaction): Fick’s second law

∂c A ∂ 2c A
= D AB rectangular coordinates
∂t ∂z 2

∂c A D AB ∂
= ( r ∂c A ) cylindrical coordinates
∂t r ∂r dr

∂c A D AB ∂
= 2 ( r 2 ∂c A ) spherical coordinates
∂t r ∂r dr

The equations above are in analogy with unsteady-state conduction:

∂T ∂ 2T
=α
∂t ∂z 2

Therefore, the solutions are the same and analogical.

Y: unaccomplished change
X: relative time
n: relative position
m: relative resistance

Fig. 5.2: Heating and cooling of a solid cylinder having an infinite ratio
of length to diameter (Fig. 5.3-7 Geankoplis)

Diffusion of solute A in a solid cylinder:

cA' : conc. of A in the surrounding fluid
c A '_ c A
Y= cAb : initial uniform conc. of A of the body
c A ' _ c Ab
DcABA : diffusivity
: conc. of AofatAain
given
B point in the body
D AB t at any time t
X= T : time
rm2 rm : radius of cylinder
 r
n=
rm
r : radius

D AB
m= kc : mass-transfer coefficient
k c rm

Fig. 5.3 Heating and cooling of a solid sphere (Figure 5.3-9 Geankoplis)

Diffusion in solid sphere

same definitions for Y, X, n and m

Fig. 5.4 Heating and cooling of a solid slab (Figure 5.3-5 Geankoplis)

Diffusion in a solid slab

Same definitions for Y, X, n and m

rm : half of the thickness of the slab

Figure 5-5 Heating and cooling of a solid with infinite thickness

D AB t
x X=
x2
∞ D
m = AB
k cx

Multi-dimensional unsteady-state diffusion:

c A ' _ c Ax , y , z
e.g. Yx , y , z = ( Yx )( Yy )( Yz ) =
c A ' _ c Ab

Problem 11.19 Foust et al.

A platinum catalyst is made by immersing spherical aluminium pellets in a

chloroplatinic acid solution until an appropriate amount of acid diffuses into the
pellet. The acid is then reduced to release a finely divided platinum on the
alumina. Half-inch diameter pellets are initially wet with pure water. They are
immersed in acid solution such that the surface concentration is maintained at
50% acid, 50% water. The transfer of acid is by molecular transport and DAB =
5 x 10-5 ft2/h.
a) Calculate the acid conc. 1/8 inch from the center after 3 immersions.
b) Calculate the time required to reach a concentration of 40 mole % acid at
the center.

Problem 7.1-5 Geankoplis

Problem 7.1-6 Geankoplis