1
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-1
2. Diffusion in Dilute Solutions
2.1 Diffusion across thin films and membranes2.2 Diffusion into a semi-infinite slab (strength of weld, tooth decay)2.3 Examples2.4 Dilute diffusion and convection
Graham (1850) monitored the diffusion of salt (NaCl) solutions in a larger jar containing water. Every so often he removed the bottle and analyzed it.
Mass Transfer
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-2
Initial salt concentration,
Weight-% of NaCl
Relative Flux
1 1.002 1.993 3.014 4.00
He postulated that a) The quantities diffused appear to be proportional to the salt
concentration.b) Diffusion must follow diminishing progression.
Fick (1855) analyzed these data and wrote“The diffusion of the dissolved material ... is left completely to the influence of the molecular forces basic to the same law ... for the spreading of warmth in a conductor and which has already been applied with such great success to the spreading of electricity.”
2
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-3
Fick’s first law: dcj D
dz
This is analogous to Newton’s lawdydvx
yx
This is analogous to Fourier’s lawdxdT
qx
Tq cDj or
These equations imply no convection (dilute solutions !).
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-4
2.1 Diffusion across thin films and membranes
Example 2.1.1: Diffusion across a thin filmz
z z 0
1C
C10
Goal: concentration profile in the film, and the flux across it at steady state.
Mass balance across arbitrary thin layer z:
zz at
layer of out
diffusion of rate
z at layer the into
diffusion of rate
onaccumulati
solute
0
Steady state
)jj(A0 zz1z1
3
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-5
)jj(A0 zz1z1
Divide this equation by the film volume A‧z
z)zz(
jj0 z1zz1
21
2
1dz
cdD0j
dzd
0 0z AsFick’s
first law(1)
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-6
If we solve this equation we have the concentration profile of c in and then we can calculate the flux
from Fick’s first law 11
dcj D
dz (2)
by estimating the dz
dc1 0z zorat
The boundary conditions are 0z
z
10cc
1cc
Then the solution to eq.1 is bzac1
4
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-7
and using the boundary condition gives:
z
)cc(cc 101101
1011010z1
1 ccD1
cc0Ddzdc
Dj
101101z1 cc
D1cc0D
dz
dcD
or
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-8
Example 2.1.2: Membrane diffusion
Derive the concentration profile and the flux for a single solute diffusing across a thin membrane.
The analysis is the same as before leading to
21
2
zz1z1dz
cdDjjA0
but the boundary conditions differ:
11
101
Hcc,z
Hcc,0z
where H is a partition coefficient (the concentration in the membrane divided by that in the adjacent solution e.g. Henry’s or Raoult’s law).
5
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-9
Then the concentration profile becomes:
z
ccHHcc 101101
10c
1c
The solute is more soluble in the membrane than in the adjacent solution
10c
1c
The solute is less soluble in the membrane than in the adjacent solution
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-10
Example 2.1.3: Concentration–dependent diffusion coefficient
The diffusion coefficient D can vary with concentration c. (water across films and in detergent solutions)
Assumption:
cc1 ccc 1
ccc 1
slow diffusion (small D), DS
fast diffusion (large D), D
10c
sD
1CcD
1c
-ZcZc
Consider two-films in series.
At steady state j1 =const in both films.
6
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-11
In film 1: Large sD small dz
dc
c cz c
css dcDdzj
dzdc
Dj0
111
1
1
10
)cc(zD
j cc
s1101 (1)
In film 2: Smalldc
large Ddz
c cz
c
cdcDdzj
dzdc
Dj1
1
111
1 )cc(z
Dj 1c1
c1
(2)
)cc(D)cc(D
D)cc(z
1c1c110s
sc110c
)cc(D)cc(D
1z
c110s
1c1c
(1) = (2)
The flux becomes then:
)cc(D)cc(Dj ccs 111101
2110
1cc
c c
2
DDD s then If
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-12
Two compounds A and B diffuse from 1 to 2 through the film z.
Which one diffuses faster or which one has the largest Diffusivity?
1
2
BD
ADAc1
Bc1Ac2
Bc2z
1
2
3
BA1c
1c
When a compound diffuses faster in film A than in B, which conc’nprofile best describes this process, 1,2 or 3 and why?
7
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-13
2.2 Diffusion in a Semi-infinite Slab
Fick’s Second LawDiffusion is the net migration (mass transfer-transport) of molecules from regions of HIGH to LOW concentration.
jX: flux of particles in the x-direction
A
B
C
D
x
yz
j jx
xx
x
2 j j
xx
xx
2
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-14
Rate at which particles enter the elemental volume xyz across the left side of that volume
zy
2x
xj
j XX
IN
IN - OUT =
zy2x
xj
j xx
gradient of jx at the center of xyz
Net rate of transport into that element
xj
zyx x
A
B
C
D
x
yz
jjx
xx
x
2 j
jx
xx
x
2
Similarly for the xz face:y
jzyx y
zj
zyx z
and for xy face:
OUT
8
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-15
The rate of change of the number of particles per unit volume (& size), n, in the elemental volume xyz is:
c x y z
t
j
x
j
y
j
z x y z
x y z
jzj
y
j
xj
tc zyx
From experimental observations:xc
Djx
(Fick’s first law without convection, dilute solutions).
Substituting it in the above gives Fick’s second law:
cDz
c
y
c
x
cD
tc 2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-16
Unsteady diffusion in a semi-infinite slabz
z z 0
1C
C10
Steady-state diffusion
10c
1c
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Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-17
Unsteady diffusion in a semi-infinite slab
Consider that suddenly the concentration at the interface changes.
Goal: To find how the concentration and flux varies with time.
Very important in diffusion in solids (tooth decay, corrosion of metals). This is the opposite (or more accurately, complimentary) to steady-diffusion through films. Everything else in the course is in between.
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-18
At t ≤ 0: 11 cc but at t > 0: 101 cc
Mass balance:
zz at
layer the of out
diffusion of rate
z at
layer the into
diffusion of rate
z Avolume in
onaccumulati solute
)jj(A)czA(t zzz
111
Divide by Az:
z
jj
tc zzz 111 0z
zj
tc
11
Combine this with Fick’s first law gives:
21
21
z
cD
tc
(1)
dzdc
Dj
10
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-19
21
21
z
cD
tc
(1)Boundary Conditions: t = 0 all z: 11 cc
101 cc
11 cct > 0 z=0:
z=:How to solve Fick’s 2nd law?
Define a new variable (Boltzmann): Dt
z4
(2)
(It requires the wild imagination of mathematicians)
So eqn. (1) becomes:2
21
21
zd
cdD
tddc
or using eqn. 2: 02 121
2
d
dc
d
cd (3)
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-20
The B.C. become: 1010 cc
11 cc
Set yddc
1 so eqn.(3) becomes: 02 yddy
22 alnylndy
dyor:integrate
)exp(ay 2
Resubstitution: )exp(addc 21
0
21 kds)sexp(ac (4)
11
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-21
at 0
0
2100 kds)sexp(ac
kc 10
21
0
2101 ds)sexp(accat
so2101
/cc
a
in (4):
0
2101101 ds)sexp(
2/)cc(
cc
0
2
101
101 2erfds)sexp(
cccc
Dtz4
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-22
So the flux can be obtained as :2z
-1 4Dt
1 10 1
cj -D D / t e (c - c )
z
and the flux across the interface becomes (z=0) :
)cc(t
Dj z 11001
This is the flux at time t.
Total mass (moles) transferred per unit area after time t
t
z dtj0
01
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Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-23
2.3 Examples
Example 2.3.1: Steady dissolution of a sphere
Consider a sphere that dissolves slowly in a large tank. The sphere volume does not change.
Find the dissolution rate and the concentration c1(r) profile away from the sphere at steady-state.
www.sciencebasedmedicine.org www.what-when-how.com
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-24
Mass balance on a spherical shell:
shell the of out
diffusion
shell the into
diffusion
shell this within
onaccumulati solute
rrr )jr()jr()crr(t
12
12
12 444 (1)
Divide both sides by the spherical shell’s volume, note that LHS=0 at steady-state and take the limit as 0r
12
2
10 jr
dr
d
r (2)
Combine this with Fick’s law at spherical coordinates and D = const:
2 12
0
dcD dr
r dr dr (3)
13
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-25
Boundary Conditions: )sat(ccRr 110 01 cr
(4)
(5)
Integrating eqn. 3 gives:2
1
r
adrdc
(6)
where a is an integration constant.
Integrating eqn. 6 again gives:ra
bc 1
where b is another integration constant.
(7)
Using the B.C. gives b=0 from eqn. 5 and a =c1(sat)R0 from eqn. 4 so eqn. 7 becomes
rR
)sat(cc 011 (8)
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-26
The dissolution flux can be found from Fick’s law:
2010
11
1r
R)sat(Dcr
R)sat(c
drd
Ddrdc
Dj
which at the sphere’s surface is )sat(cRD
j 10
1
If you double the sphere (particle) size, the dissolution rate per unit area is only half as large even though the total dissolution rate over the entire surface is doubled.
Also in the growth of fog droplets and spraying, as well as in growth of particles by condensation or by surface reaction limited by transport.
Very important in pharmaceutics!!
14
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-27
Challenging Mathematics:Text: 2.4.1 Decay of a Pulse
2.4.3 Unsteady Diffusion into Cylinders
Decay of a Pulse Unsteady Diffusion into Cylinders
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-28
2.4 Dilute Diffusion and Convection
Till now we did not consider any flow. Convection
Diffusion
Here we address a special case where diffusion and convection occur normal to each other:
15
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-29
2.4.1 Steady Diffusion across a falling film
Assumptions:1. The solution is dilute (no diffusion-driven flow)2. The liquid is the only resistance to mass transfer.3. Mass transfer by diffusion in z-direction and flow in x-direction
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-30
Mass balance on volume ( w x z) (w = width of film wall)
xx at out flowing solute
- x at in flowing solute
zz at out diffusing solute
- z at in diffusing solute
z x w in
onaccumulati solute
0
xxx1xx1
zz1z11
zwvczwvc
xwjxwj)zxwc(t
as c1 and vx are constant in x
c1 varies in z but not in x ! (The film is long)
vx varies in z but not in x ! (Couette flow, no pressure drop in x)
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Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-31
Now we can write dzdj
0 1
Combining it with Fick’s law gives:21
2
dz
cdD0
11
101
ccz
cc0z
Boundary conditions:
The solution is:z
)cc(cc 101101
)cc(D
j 1101
Unbelievable ! The flow has no effect.
That’s right! When solutions are dilute this is correct.
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-32
2.4.2 Diffusion into a falling film
A thin liquid film flows slowly without ripples (waves) down a flat surface. One side of the film wets the surface while the other is in contact with the gas which is slightly (sparingly) soluble in the liquid.
Goal: Find how much gas dissolves in the liquid. (important to “Penetration Theory”)
17
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-33
Assumptions:1. The solution is dilute2. Mass transfer in z-direction and flow
(convection) in x-direction 3. The gas over the film is pure (no resistance to
diffusion)4. Short contact between liquid and gas (for
convenience)
Mass balance:
xx at out flowing mass
- x at in flowing assm
zz at out diffusing mass
- z at in diffusing mass
z x w in
onaccumulati mass
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-34
xxx1xx1
zz1z11
vczwvczw
jxwjxw)zxwc(t
At steady state and after dividing by the volume (w x z) and taking the limit as this volume goes to zero:
x11 vc
xzj
0
We combine this with Fick’s law and set vx= vmax (fluid velocity at the interface) as the gas-liquid contact time is short (based on our bold (too strong) assumption #4)
(1)
18
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-35
The implication here is that the solute barely has a chance to cross the interface so slightly diffuses into the fluid. So equation (1) becomes:
(2)21
2
max
1
z
cD
)v/x(c
)5(0cz
)4()sat(cc0z0x
)3(0cz0x
1
11
1
Boundary conditions:
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-36
Now revoking (recalling) again assumption #4 the last B.C. is replaced by
)6(0cz0x 1
meaning that the solute diffuses only shortly into the liquid. As a result, the solute does not “see” the wall.
In this case this problem reduces to that of diffusion in a semi-infinite slab with maxv/xt
and the solution is the same: (slide 2-23) max1
1
v/xD4
zerf1
)sat(cc
and the flux at the interface is: )sat(cx/vDj 1max0z1
19
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-37
What did we learn so far ?
2. Diffusion of dilute solutions2.1 Across thin film and steady-state2.2 Across a thick slab and no steady-state
How to choose between these two ?
This is the variable in the error function of the semi-infinite slab problem.
Fo: Fourier number
1 / Fo >> 1 => semi-infinite slab1 / Fo << 1 => steady-state1 / Fo ~ 1 => detailed analysis
if
Fo
1
timetcoefficien
diffusionlength 2
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-38
Example: Membrane for industrial separation:
Thickness = 0.01 cmD = 10-11 m2/s
If the duration of the experiment is
a) t=10 s
This is a semi-infinite slab problem!
b) t=3 hrs 104 s
This is a thin film, steady-state problem.
The value of Fo = 1 indicates that mass transfer is significantly advanced in a given process. As a result it can be used to estimate the EXTENT (or DEGREE) of advancement (or progress) for unsteady-state processes.
100s10scm10
cm10
Fo
127
24
1.0s10scm10
cm10
Fo
1427
24
20
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-39
For example:
a) Guess how far gasoline has evaporated into the stagnant air in a regular glass-fiber filter. Say that evaporation is going on for 10 min and D = 10-5 m2/s.
b) Consider H2 diffusion in nickel making it rather brittle. If D = 10-12 m2/s estimate how long it will take for H2 to diffuse 1 mm through the Ni specimen.
cm8length1
s600sm10
length
Fo
125-
2
days 11s10t1tsm10
m10
Fo
1 6212-
2-6
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-40
Another important difference of the two limiting cases stems from the interfacial fluxes.
1 1
Dj c
1 1
Dj c
t
(thin film)
(thick slab)
Note that both and have velocity units (dimensions), D
tD
some people even call them “the velocity of diffusion”. In fact these are equivalent to the mass transfer coefficients we talked earlier on !!
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Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-41
Example: Diaphragm-cell diffusion
Goal: To measure the diffusion coefficient
Cell: Two well-stirred volumes and a thin barrier (or diaphragm, e.g. sintered glass frit or even a piece of paper).
Combination of a steady-state (inside diaphragm) and a transient problem (in liquid reservoirs).
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-42
Upper compartment = solvent,0
upper,1c
Lower compartment = solution,0
lower,1c
After time t, measure new c1 at the upper and lower compartment
Procedure:
Assumptions: Rapid attainment of steady state flux across the diaphragm.
Note that this says the flux is steady even through the concentrations are changing! Can we get away with that?
22
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-43
At this pseudo steady-state the flux across the diaphragm (membrane) is:
1 1,lower 1,upper
DHj (c c )
(H can also be regarded as the fraction of the diaphragm area available for diffusion)
Mass balance on each compartment
(1)
Lower: 1lower,1
lower jAdt
dcV
Upper: 1upper,1
upper jAdt
dcV
(2)
(3)
where A is the area of the diaphragm.
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-44
Dividing eqs. (2) and (3) by Vlower and Vupper, respectively, followed by subtracting eqn. (3) from (2) and substituting eqn. (1), gives:
)cc(D)cc(dtd
lower,1upper,1upper,1lower,1 (4)
where the geometric constant is )V
1
V
1(
AH
upperlower
Boundary condition: 0upper,1
0lower,1upper,1lower,1 cccc t=0: (5)
Integrating eqn. (4) subject to (5) gives
Dt0
upper,1
0
lower,1
upper,1lower,1 ecc
cc
upper,1lower,1
0
upper,1
0
lower,1
cc
ccln
t1
Dor (7)(6)
is obtained by calibration with solute of known D.
Now as we can measure t and the solute concentration at the two compartments, D can be obtained.
23
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-45
Let´s go back to our assumptions:
a) D is affected by the diaphragm and its tortuosity (internal channel-like structure)
This can be accounted for by rewriting eqn. (7) as:
upper,1lower,1
0upper,1
0lower,1
cc
ccln
t1
D
Where ’ is a new calibration constant that includes tortuosity. Surprisingly this works well as D agrees with that measured by other techniques.
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-46
b) Pseudo steady-state (steady-state flux across a diaphragm with unsteady-state concentrations in the compartments)
Compare the volume of material (solvent and solute) in the diaphragm voids (empty space) with that of each compartment.
The solute concentrations in the compartments changes slooooowly because they are very large compared to the diaphragm.
The solute concentration in the diaphragm changes much faster as it has little volume.
Thus the concentration profile in the diaphragm will reach a (pseudo) steady-state before the corresponding concentrations change much. Thus the flux will reach steady-state!
24
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-47
Now more quantitatively and professionally: We can compare the characteristic (or relaxation) times of the two units:
Diaphragm:
Compartment:
Dt
2
D
D1
tC (1/e)
(8)
(9)
Definition: The relaxation time is the time at which the distance to equilibrium has been reduced to the fraction 1/e of its initial value.
)cc(e1
cc 0upper,1
0lower,1upper,1lower,1
And compare with eq. (6): 0upper,1
0lower,1
Dtupper,1lower,1 ccecc
So set:
1Fo
1
Mass Transfer – Diffusion in Dilute Solutions_ Fick‘s Laws 2-48
So eqn. (6) can be written as: Dtee1 Dt1 ee
CR tD1
t
or
Now the above analysis is accurate when DC tt
upperlower
volumediaphragm
2
V1
V1
HA
D1D1
upperlowervoidsdiaphragm V1
V1
V1
or
so
This is engineering MAGIC !!!