Assignment II

1. A wetted wall tower consists of a thin film of water flowing along the sides of the tube wall
countercurrent to the upward flow of gas. The water evaporates into the gas. Using the
data given in table 1 below calculate the mass transfer coefficient based on the partial
pressure driving force and the mass transfer rate of water into the air. [12]

Variable/parameter value Variable/parameter value

Tube diameter 14.6 mm Total pressure 1 atm.

Wetted tube length 827 mm Partial pressure of water 6.27 mm Hg

vapour in inlet air
o
Temperature of the air 25 C Partial pressure of water 20.1 mm Hg
vapour in outlet air
0
Vapor pressure of water vapor at 25 C 0.46 psi

Table 1. Data for problem 1.

2. The concentration (W) in a mass transfer operation is expressed in terms of mass water
vapor (A)/mass dry air (B). Show that, with clearly stated assumptions, the corresponding
“F” type mass transfer coefficient in the gas phase may be expressed in terms of the “k” type
mass transfer coefficient as
FG = kY/MB
where MB is the molecular weight of dry air. The mass transfer flux in kg/(m 2.s.mass ratio) is
given by
W A = kYW
[8]

3. Derive the relation between the overall liquid phase mass transfer coefficient (FoL) and the
individual phase mass transfer coefficients (FL and FG). Refer to Treybal chapter 3 for
Nomenclature
4. How does the relation developed in Q.(3) simplify for the case where the resistance is
only in the vapour phase? Sketch (xAL,yAL), (xAi,yAi) and (xA*,yA*) in a x-y diagram for this
special case. Also show the equilibrium curve which is assumed to be linear.
5. How does the relation developed in Q.(3) simplify when both the liquid and vapour phases
are dilute?
6. In a gas absorption process, the equilibrium relation is given as follows (on a mole fraction
basis).

The concentration of solute A in the bulk gas phase is 0.40 and concentration of solute A in
the bulk liquid phase is 0.25. Only solute A transfers between the phases. The mass
transfer coefficient in the gas phase (FG) is twice that of the mass transfer coefficient in the
liquid phase (FL).
a. How is separation possible with this type of equilibrium relation?
b. Sketch the concentration mole fraction qualitatively showing the expected variation from
the gas phase towards the interface and then from the interface to the bulk liquid
solution
c. Taking steady state mass transfer situation, find the mole fraction of the solute at the
interface
d. If FG is 3 x 10-4 mol/(m2.s), find the molar flux in both the phases
e. If you have ignored bulk flow effects by wrongly assuming a dilute system, what would
have been the interfacial composition and the molar flux?
[2+2+5+2+3 = 15]

7. Estimate the overall liquid–side mass transfer coefficient at 25oC for oxygen from water into
air. In this estimate, assume that each individual mass transfer coefficient is k (cm/s) = D
(cm2/s) / 0.01(cm). Do2-air = 0.23 cm2/s. Do2-water = 2.1 x 10-5 cm2/s. The Henry’s law constant
in this case is 4.4 x 104 atm. Assume dilute system. [5]
8. Jasmone (C11H16O) is a valuable material in the perfume industry, used in many soaps
and cosmetics. This component is recovered from a water suspension of jasmine flowers by
an extraction with benzene. The aqueous phase is continuous. The mass transfer coefficient
in the benzene drops is 3 x 10-4 cm/s; the mass transfer coefficient In the aqueous phase us
2.4 x 10-3 cm/s. Jasmone is about 170 times more soluble in benzene than in the
suspension. What is the overall mass transfer coefficient? [5]
9. The gas phase mass transfer coefficient (ky) is estimated to be = 2 moles/m2 s while the
liquid phase mass transfer coefficient (kx) is 200 moles/m2s. If the slope of the equilibrium
relation is y* = 5x, what is the overall mass transfer coefficient ? Which of the two mass
transfer coefficients can you afford to neglect in your calculations. Assume dilute conditions.
[5]
a. Usually we define Sherwood number in mass transfer to be [7]

Prove that when the F-type of mass transfer coefficients are used,

10. For the following applications what is the commonly used driving force for mass transfer?
What is the form of mass transfer coefficient used? Give units for the mass transfer
coefficient as well as the driving force. Assume dilute conditions. i. Clothes
being dried ii. Marbles of Taj Mahal, assumed to be CaCO3, degrading in acid rain iii.
Oxygen being absorbed from air into blood in the lungs iv. Perfume from dissolved flowers
extracted by benzene v. Tea dissolving in hot water. [10]

11. A cylindrical tube is made of a sparingly water soluble material of diameter D. Water flows
through this tube in fully developed mode in steady laminar flow.
a. Derive the equation from first principles for finding the axial and radial variation of solute
concentration in the tube
b. State the assumptions and using them simplify the equation developed in part a
c. State the boundary conditions
d. How will you find the cup mean mixing concentration?
[7+2+2+3=14]

Also problems that will be discussed in class until coming Wednesday will be
counted for assignment II