MASS TRANSFER BETWEEN PHASES

We consider the mass transfer of solute A from one fluid phase by convection and then
through a second fluid phase by convection. For example, the solute may diffuse
through a gas phase and then diffuse through and be absorbed in an adjacent and
immiscible liquid phase. This occurs in the case of absorption of ammonia from air by
water. The two phases are in direct contact with each other, such as in a packed, tray, or
spray-type tower, and the interfacial area between the phases is usually not well defined.
In two-phase mass transfer, a concentration gradient will exist in each phase, causing
mass transfer to occur. At the interface between the two fluid phases, equilibrium exists
in most cases. In such cases, equilibrium relations, e.g. Henry’s law and equilibrium
distribution coefficients, are important to determine concentration profiles for
predicting rates of mass transfer.

The concentration in the Concentration profile of solute A diffusing through two

bulk gas phase 𝑦𝐴𝐺 phases.
decreases to 𝑦𝐴𝑖 at the
interface. The liquid
concentration starts at 𝑥𝐴𝑖
at the interface and falls to
𝑥𝐴𝐿 in the bulk liquid
phase. At the interface,
since there would be no
resistance to transfer
across this interface, 𝑦𝐴𝑖
and 𝑥𝐴𝑖 are in equilibrium and are related by the equilibrium distribution relation (e.g.
Henry’s law),

𝑦𝐴𝑖 = 𝑓(𝑥𝐴𝑖 ) (10.4-1)

We consider here any two-phase system where y stands for the one phase and x for the
other phase. For example, for the extraction of the solute acetic acid (A) from water (y
phase) by isopropyl ether (x phase), the same relations will hold.
Mass Transfer Using Film Mass-Transfer Coefficients and
Interface Concentrations

Case 1. Equi-molar counter-diffusion

For A diffusing from the gas to liquid and Bin equi-molar counter-diffusion from
liquid to gas,
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑦′ (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) = 𝑘𝑥′ (𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) (10.4-2)

The driving force in the gas phase is (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) and in the liquid phase it is
(𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ). Here, 𝑘𝑦′ is gas-phase mass-transfer coefficient in 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙⁄𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2 ∙ 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐
and 𝑘𝑥′ is liquid-phase mass-transfer coefficient.

Rearranging,
𝑘𝑥′ 𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 (10.4-3)
− ′ =
𝑘𝑦 𝑥𝐴𝐿 − 𝑥𝐴𝑖

In Fig. 10.4-2, point P represents the bulk phase compositions 𝑦𝐴𝐺 and 𝑥𝐴𝐿 of the two
phases and point M the interface Fig 10.4-2. For the case of equimolar counterdiffusion,
concentrations 𝑦𝐴𝑖 and 𝑥𝐴𝑖 . The
slope of the line PM is − 𝑘𝑥′ ⁄𝑘𝑦′ . conc. driving forces and interface conc. in interphase
Therefore, if the two film mass transfer
coefficients are known, the
interface compositions, i.e.
𝑥𝐴𝑖 , 𝑦𝐴𝑖 can be determined by
drawing line PM with a slope
− 𝑘𝑥′ ⁄𝑘𝑦′ intersecting the
equilibrium line.
Case 2. Diffusion of A through stagnant or non-diffusing B.
For the common case of A diffusing through a stagnant gas phase and then through a
stagnant liquid phase, the equations for A diffusing through a stagnant gas and then
through a stagnant liquid are

𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑦 (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) = 𝑘𝑥 (𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) (10.4-4)

The driving force in the gas phase is (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) and (𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) in the liquid phase.
Here, the gas-phase mass-transfer coefficient (𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙⁄𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2 ∙ 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐 ) is

𝑘𝑦′ 𝑘𝑦′ (10.4-5a)

𝑘𝑦 = =
(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 𝑦𝐵 𝑖𝑀

and the liquid-phase mass-transfer coefficient is

𝑘𝑥′ 𝑘𝑥′ (10.4-5a)

𝑘𝑥 = =
(1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 𝑥𝐵 𝑖𝑀

Rearranging,

𝑘𝑥′ (10.4-3)
𝑘𝑥 [ ] 𝑦 −𝑦
(1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 𝐴𝐺 𝐴𝑖
− =− ′ =
𝑘𝑦 𝑘𝑦 𝑥𝐴𝐿 − 𝑥𝐴𝑖
[ ]
(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀
where,
(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) − (1 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 ) 𝑦𝐵 𝑖 − 𝑦𝐵 𝐺 (10.4-6,7)
(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 = = 𝑦𝐵 𝑖𝑀 =
ln[(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 )⁄(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 )] ln[𝑦𝐵 𝑖 ⁄𝑦𝐵 𝐺 ]

In Figure 10.4-3, the slope of the line PM is − 𝑘𝑥 ⁄𝑘𝑦 . Therefore, if the two film
coefficients are known, the interface compositions, i.e. 𝑥𝐴𝑖 , 𝑦𝐴𝑖 can be determined by
drawing line PM with a slope − 𝑘𝑥 ⁄𝑘𝑦 intersecting the equilibrium line.

However, since (1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 and (1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 are unknowns, a trial and error method is
needed. For the first trial (1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 and (1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 are assumed to be 1.0 and Eq.
(10.4-9) is used to get the slope and 𝑥𝐴𝑖 , 𝑦𝐴𝑖 . Then for the second trial, these values of
𝑥𝐴𝑖 , 𝑦𝐴𝑖 are used to calculate a new slope to get new values of 𝑥𝐴𝑖 , 𝑦𝐴𝑖 . This is repeated
until the interface compositions do not change.
Figure 10.4-3: For the case of A diffusing through stagnant B, conc.
driving forces and interface concentrations in interphase mass transfer
Example 10.4-1 (CJG):
Determination of Interface Composition in Interphase Mass Transfer
The solute A is being absorbed from a gas mixture of A and B in a wetted-
wall tower with the liquid flowing as a film downward along the wall. At a
certain point in the tower, bulk gas concentration is 𝒚𝑨𝑮 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟖 mol
fraction and the bulk liquid concentration is 𝒙𝑨𝑳 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟎.
The tower is operating at 298 K and 101.325 × 103 Pa and the equilibrium
data are given in the table.

𝑥𝐴 0 0.050 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35

𝑦𝐴 0 0.022 0.052 0.087 0.131 0.187 0.265 0.385

The solute A diffuses through a stagnant B in the gas phase and then
through a non-diffusing liquid.
Using correlations for dilute solutions in wetted-wall towers, the film mass-
transfer coefficients for A in the gas and liquid phases are predicted as:
𝑘𝑦 = 1.465 × 10−3 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴/𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2 ∙ 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐
𝑘𝑥 = 1.967 × 10−3 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴/𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2 ∙ 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐
Note that for dilute solution, 𝑘𝑥′ = 𝑘𝑥 ; 𝑘𝑦′ = 𝑘𝑦 .
Calculate the interface concentrations, (𝑥𝐴𝑖 , 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) and flux of component A.

SOLUTION:
Step 1: Plot the equilibrium data for the given temperature and pressure. Next,
locate the bulk compositions, P (𝑥𝐴𝐿 , 𝑦𝐴𝐺 ).
Step 2: One needs to plot a straight line from point P (𝑥𝐴𝐿 , 𝑦𝐴𝐺 ) with the slope
𝑘𝑥′
𝑘𝑥 [ ]
(1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀
− =−
𝑘𝑦 𝑘𝑦′
[ ]
(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀
 Its intersection with equilibrium curve gives interface composition
(𝑥𝐴𝑖 , 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ). Since (𝑥𝐴𝑖 , 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) is not known, one need to its value for
computing the slope. Therefore, iterative approach is required.

Trial 1

Assume (𝑥𝐴𝑖 = 0, 𝑦𝐴𝑖 = 0), and compute the slope

(1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 = 1; (1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 = 1
1.967 × 10−3
𝑘𝑥 [ 1 ]
− =− = −1.342
𝑘𝑦 1.465 × 10−3
[ 1 ]

Use the following straight line equation,

𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥0 )
𝑘𝑥
𝑦 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 = − (𝑥 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 )
𝑘𝑦
𝑦 − 0.38 = −1.342(𝑥 − 0.1)
Choose any arbitrary value for 𝑥 to get 𝑦. Choosing, 𝑥 = 0.2 gives 𝑦 =
0.38 − 0.1342 = 0.246. Now draw a straight line with points (0.10,0.38)
and (0.2,0.246). Its intersection with the equilibrium line from the graph
gives
(𝑥𝐴𝑖 = 0.247, 𝑦𝐴𝑖 = 0.183).
 Trial 2

From first trial, use (𝑥𝐴𝑖 = 0.247, 𝑦𝐴𝑖 = 0.183), and compute the slope
(1 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) − (1 − 𝑥𝐴𝑖 ) (1 − 0.10) − (1 − 0.247)
(1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 = = = 0.825
ln[(1 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 )⁄(1 − 𝑥𝐴𝑖 )] ln[(1 − 0.10)⁄(1 − 0.247)]
(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) − (1 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 ) (1 − 0.183) − (1 − 0.38)
(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 = = = 0.715
ln[(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 )⁄(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 )] ln[(1 − 0.183)⁄(1 − 0.38)]
1.967 × 10−3
𝑘𝑥 [ ]
0.825
− =− = −1.163
𝑘𝑦 1.465 × 10−3
[ ]
0.715
Trial 1 slope = −𝟏. 𝟑𝟒𝟐
Trial 2 slope = −𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟑
Use the following straight line equation,
𝑦 − 𝑦0 = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥0 )
𝑘𝑥
𝑦 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 = − (𝑥 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 )
𝑘𝑦
𝑦 − 0.38 = −1.163(𝑥 − 0.1)
Choose any arbitrary value for 𝑥 to get 𝑦. Choosing, 𝑥 = 0.2 gives 𝑦 = 0.38 −
0.1163 = 0.264. Now draw a straight line with points (0.10,0.38) and
(0.2,0.264). Its intersection with the equilibrium line from the graph gives
(𝑥𝐴𝑖 = 0.257, 𝑦𝐴𝑖 = 0.197).
 Trial 3
From second trial, use (𝑥𝐴𝑖 = 0.257, 𝑦𝐴𝑖 = 0.197), and compute the slope
(1 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) − (1 − 𝑥𝐴𝑖 ) (1 − 0.10) − (1 − 0.257)
(1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 = = = 0.820
ln[(1 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 )⁄(1 − 𝑥𝐴𝑖 )] ln[(1 − 0.10)⁄(1 − 0.257)]
(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) − (1 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 ) (1 − 0.197) − (1 − 0.38)
(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 = = = 0.709
ln[(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 )⁄(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 )] ln[(1 − 0.197)⁄(1 − 0.38)]
1.967 × 10−3
𝑘𝑥 [ ]
0.825
− =− = −1.16
𝑘𝑦 1.465 × 10−3
[ ]
0.715
Trial 1 slope = −𝟏. 𝟑𝟒𝟐
Trial 2 slope = −𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟑
Trial 3 slope = −𝟏. 𝟏𝟔𝟎
Therefore,
𝑥𝐴𝑖 = 0.257, 𝑦𝐴𝑖 = 0.197
𝑥𝐴∗ = 0.349, 𝑦𝐴∗ = 0.052
Therefore,
1.465 × 10−3
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑦 (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) = [ ] (0.38 − 0.197)
0.715
= 3.78 × 10−4 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴/𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2
1.967 × 10−3
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑥 (𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) = [ ] (0.257 − 0.10)
0.825
= 3.78 × 10−4 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴/𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2

Summary
Trial 𝒙𝑨𝒊 𝒚𝑨𝒊 (𝟏 − 𝒙𝑨 )𝒊𝑴 (𝟏 − 𝒚𝑨 )𝒊𝑴 − 𝒌 𝒙 ⁄𝒌 𝒚
1 0 0 1.00 1.00 -1.342
2 0.247 0.183 0.825 0.715 -1.163
3 0.257 0.197 0.820 0.709 -1.160
4 0.257 0.197
Question 4 (Fall 2018 2019 Test 2):

The solute A is being absorbed from a gas mixture of A and B in a wetted-wall tower with the liquid
flowing as a film downward along the wall. At a certain point in the tower, bulk gas concentration is
𝑦𝐴𝐺 = 0.38 mol fraction and the bulk liquid concentration is 𝑥𝐴𝐿 = 0.10. The solute A diffuses
through a stagnant B in the gas phase and then through a non-diffusing liquid. Using correlations for
dilute solutions in wetted-wall towers, the film mass-transfer coefficients for A in the gas and liquid
phases are predicted as:
𝑘𝑦 = 1.00 × 10−3 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴/𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2 ∙ 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐; 𝑘𝑥 = 2.00 × 10−3 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴/𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2 ∙ 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐

Note that for dilute solution, 𝑘𝑥′ = 𝑘𝑥 ; 𝑘𝑦′ = 𝑘𝑦 . The tower is operating at 298 K and 101.325 ×
103 Pa. The equilibrium data are given in the figure, which also show the interface concentration.
Determine
 Mass transfer coefficient, 𝑘𝑦 , in the present case.
 Molar flux of component A, 𝑁𝐴 , 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴/𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2
Question 4 (Fall 2018 2019 Test 2): Solution

From the figure,

𝑥𝐴𝑖 = 0.228
𝑦𝐴𝑖 = 0.158
(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) − (1 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 ) (1 − 0.158) − (1 − 0.38)
(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 = = = 0.725
ln[(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 )⁄(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 )] ln[(1 − 0.158)⁄(1 − 0.38)]

1.0 × 10−3
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑦 (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) = [ ] (0.38 − 0.158) = 3.06 × 10−4 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴/𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2
0.725

From the figure,

𝑥𝐴𝑖 = 0.228
𝑦𝐴𝑖 = 0.158
(1 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) − (1 − 𝑥𝐴𝑖 ) (1 − 0.10) − (1 − 0.228)
(1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 = = = 0.835
ln[(1 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 )⁄(1 − 𝑥𝐴𝑖 )] ln[(1 − 0.10)⁄(1 − 0.228)]

2.0 × 10−3
𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑥 (𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) = [ ] (0.228 − 0.10) = 3.06 × 10−4 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴/𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2
0.835
Overall Mass-Transfer Coefficients and Driving Forces
Film or local single-phase mass-transfer coefficients are often difficult to measure
experimentally. Therefore, overall mass-transfer coefficients 𝐾𝑦′ and 𝐾𝑥′ are measured
based on the overall gas phase/liquid phase driving forces,

𝑁𝐴 = 𝐾𝑦′ (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴∗ ) = 𝐾𝑥′ (𝑥𝐴∗ − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) (10.4-10) & (10.4-11)

𝐾𝑦′ : overall gas-phase mass-transfer coefficient in 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙⁄𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2 ∙ 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐

𝐾𝑥′ : overall liquid-phase mass-transfer coefficient in 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙⁄𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2 ∙ 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐
𝑦𝐴∗ : gas-phase value that would be in equilibrium with 𝑥𝐴𝐿
𝑥𝐴∗ : liquid-phase value that would be in equilibrium with 𝑦𝐴𝐺

Case 1: Equi-molar Counter-diffusion

𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑦′ (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) = 𝑘𝑥′ (𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) (10.4-2)

Overall gas-phase driving forces: 𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴∗ = (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) + (𝑦𝐴𝑖 − 𝑦𝐴∗ )

10.4-
′
𝑦𝐴𝑖 − 𝑦𝐴∗ 13
𝑚 =
𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿
10.4-
𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴∗ = (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) 14
′(
+ 𝑚 𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 )

𝑁𝐴 𝑁𝐴 𝑚′ 𝑁𝐴
= + ′
𝐾𝑦′ 𝑘𝑦′ 𝑘𝑥
10.4-
′
1 1 𝑚 15
= +
𝐾𝑦′ 𝑘𝑦′ 𝑘𝑥′

If slope m' is quite small, so that the equilibrium curve in Fig. 10.4-2 is almost
horizontal, a small value of yA in the gas will give a large value of xA in equilibrium in
the liquid. The gas solute A is then very soluble in the liquid phase, and hence the term
𝑚′
in Eq. (10.4-15) is very small. Then,
𝑘𝑥′
1 1 10.4-19
≅
𝐾𝑦′ 𝑘𝑦′
and the major resistance is in the gas phase, or the "gas phase is controlling." The point
M has moved down very close to E, so that
𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴∗ ≅ (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) 10.4-20

Overall liquid phase driving force:

𝑥𝐴∗ − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 = (𝑥𝐴∗ − 𝑥𝐴𝑖 ) + (𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) 10.4-16

𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖
′′ 10.4-
𝑚 = ∗ 17
𝑥𝐴 − 𝑥𝐴𝑖

𝑥𝐴∗ − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 = (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 )⁄𝑚′′

+ (𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 )

1 1 1 10.4-
= + 18
𝐾𝑥′ 𝑚′′ 𝑘𝑦′ 𝑘𝑥′

1
Similarly, when m" is very large, the solute A is very insoluble in the liquid, ′
𝑚′′ 𝑘𝑦
becomes small,

1 1 10.4-21
≅
𝐾𝑥′ 𝑘𝑥′

The "liquid phase is controlling" and

𝑥𝐴∗ = 𝑥𝐴𝑖

Systems for absorption of oxygen or carbon dioxide from air by water are similar to
(10.4-21).
Case 2: Diffusion of A through stagnant or nondiffusing B

𝑘𝑦′ 𝑘𝑥′ 10.4-8

𝑁𝐴 = (𝑦 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) = (𝑥 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 )
(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 𝐴𝐺 (1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 𝐴𝑖

Since the overall gas-phase driving forces can be written as,

𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴∗ = (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) + (𝑦𝐴𝑖 − 𝑦𝐴∗ )

But, as before
∗
′
𝑦𝐴𝑖
− 𝑦𝐴 10.4-13
𝑚 =
𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿

Therefore,
𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴∗ = (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴𝑖 ) + 𝑚′ (𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) 10.4-14

Define,
𝐾𝑦′ ∗
𝐾𝑥′ 10.4-22
𝑁𝐴 = (𝑦 − 𝑦𝐴 ) = (𝑥 ∗ − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 )
(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )∗𝑀 𝐴𝐺 (1 − 𝑥𝐴 )∗𝑀 𝐴

or,
𝑁𝐴 = 𝐾𝑦 (𝑦𝐴𝐺 − 𝑦𝐴∗ ) = 𝐾𝑥 (𝑥𝐴∗ − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) 10.4-23

Here,
𝐾𝑦 : overall gas-phase mass-transfer coefficient for A diffusing through stagnant B
𝐾𝑥 : overall liquid-phase mass-transfer coefficient for A diffusing through stagnant B
𝑦𝐴∗ : gas-phase value that would be in equilibrium with 𝑥𝐴𝐿
𝑥𝐴∗ : liquid-phase value that would be in equilibrium with 𝑦𝐴𝐺
(1 − 𝑦𝐴∗ ) − (1 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 ) 𝑦𝐵∗ − 𝑦𝐵𝐺 (10.4-25)
(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )∗𝑀 = = 𝑦𝐵 ∗𝑀 =
ln[(1 − 𝑦𝐴∗ )⁄(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 )] ln[𝑦𝐵∗ ⁄𝑦𝐵𝐺 ]

(1 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 ) − (1 − 𝑥𝐴∗ ) 𝑥𝐵𝐿 − 𝑥𝐵∗ (10.4-27)

(1 − 𝑥𝐴 )∗𝑀 = = 𝑥𝐵 ∗𝑀 =
ln[(1 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 )⁄(1 − 𝑥𝐴∗ )] ln[𝑥𝐵𝐿 ⁄𝑥𝐵∗ ]
Note: Overall mass transfer coefficients are concentration dependent

1 1 𝑚′ 24
= +
𝐾𝑦 𝑘𝑦 𝑘𝑥
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝒌′𝒚
−𝟏
𝒌′𝒙
−𝟏 26
= = (𝒎′′
) +( )
𝑲𝒙 𝒌𝒚 𝒎′′ 𝑲′𝒙 ⁄(𝟏 − 𝒙𝑨 )∗𝑴 (𝟏 − 𝒚𝑨 )𝒊𝑴 (𝟏 − 𝒙𝑨 )𝒊𝑴
𝟏
+
𝒌𝒙

Equi-molar Counter- Diffusion of A through

diffusion stagnant or nondiffusing B

Overall gas-phase 1 1 𝑚′ 1 1 𝑚′
mass-transfer = + = +
𝐾𝑦′ 𝑘𝑦′ 𝑘𝑥′ 𝐾𝑦 𝑘𝑦 𝑘𝑥
coefficient

Overall liquid-phase 1 1 1 1 1 1
mass-transfer = + = +
𝐾𝑥′ 𝑚′′ 𝑘𝑦′ 𝑘𝑥′ 𝐾𝑥 𝑘𝑦 𝑚′′ 𝑘𝑥
coefficient

𝑲′𝒚 𝑲′𝒙 𝒌′𝒚 𝒌′𝒙

𝑲𝒚 = ; 𝑲𝒙 = ; 𝒌𝒚 = ; 𝒌𝒙 =
(𝟏 − 𝒚𝑨 )∗𝑴 (𝟏 − 𝑥𝐴 )∗𝑴 (𝟏 − 𝒚𝑨 )𝒊𝑴 (𝟏 − 𝒙𝑨 )𝒊𝑴
Ex. 10.4-2 (CJG): Overall Mass-Transfer Coefficients from Film Coefficients
The solute A is being absorbed from a gas mixture of A and B in a wetted-wall tower
with the liquid flowing as a film downward along the wall. At a certain point in the
tower, bulk gas concentration is 𝒚𝑨𝑮 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟖 mol fraction and the bulk liquid
concentration is 𝒙𝑨𝑳 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟎. The tower is operating at 298 K and 101.325 × 103 Pa
and the equilibrium data are given in the table.

𝑥𝐴 0 0.050 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 0.35

𝑦𝐴 0 0.022 0.052 0.087 0.131 0.187 0.265 0.385

The solute A diffuses through a stagnant B in the gas phase and then through a non-
diffusing liquid. Using correlations for dilute solutions in wetted-wall towers, the film
mass-transfer coefficients for A in the gas and liquid phases are predicted as:
𝑘𝑦 = 1.465 × 10−3 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴/𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2 ∙ 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐
𝑘𝑥 = 1.967 × 10−3 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴/𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2 ∙ 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐
Note that for dilute solution, 𝑘𝑥′ = 𝑘𝑥 ; 𝑘𝑦′ = 𝑘𝑦 .
Calculate the overall mass transfer coefficient 𝐾𝑦′ , the flux, and the percent resistance in
the gas and liquid films. Do this for the case of A diffusing through stagnant B.

Solution:
∗
𝑦𝐴𝐺 = 0.052 (See figure in next page)

′
𝑦𝐴𝑖 − 𝑦𝐴∗ 0.197 − 0.052
𝑚 = = = 0.923
𝑥𝐴𝑖 − 𝑥𝐴𝐿 0.257 − 0.100

𝑘𝑦′ 1.465 × 10−3

𝑘𝑦 = =
(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 0.709

𝑘𝑥′ 1.967 × 10−3

𝑘𝑥 = =
(1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 0.820

(1 − 𝑦𝐴∗ ) − (1 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 ) (1 − 0.052) − (1 − 0.380)

(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )∗𝑀 = = = 0.773
ln[(1 − 𝑦𝐴∗ )⁄(1 − 𝑦𝐴𝐺 )] ln[(1 − 0.052)⁄(1 − 0.380)]
Total gas-phase resistance is sum of gas film and liquid film, i.e.
1 1 𝑚′
(Total resistance) = (Gas film resistance) + (Liquid film resistance)
𝐾𝑦 𝑘𝑦 𝑘𝑥

1 1 𝑚′
= +
𝐾𝑦′ ⁄(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )∗𝑀 𝑘𝑦′ ⁄(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 𝑘𝑥′ ⁄(1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀

1 1 0.923
= + = 484 (56%) + 384.8(44%) = 868.8
𝐾𝑦′ 1.465 × 10−3 1.967 × 10−3
0.773 0.709 0.820

𝑲′𝒚 = 𝟖. 𝟗𝟎 × 𝟏𝟎−𝟒 𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴/𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2 ∙ 𝑚𝑜𝑙𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐

𝐾𝑦′ ∗
8.90 × 10−4
𝑁𝐴 = (𝑦 − 𝑦𝐴 ) = (0.38 − 0.052)
(1 − 𝑦𝐴 )∗𝑀 𝐴𝐺 0.773
𝑘𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑙 𝐴
= 3.78 × 10−4
𝑠 ∙ 𝑚2
Final Exam Winter 20172018:
The solute A is being absorbed from a gas mixture of A and B in a wetted-wall tower with the liquid
flowing as a film downward along the wall. At a certain point in the tower the bulk gas concentration
yAG = 0.30 mol fraction and the bulk liquid concentration is xAL = 0.10. The tower is operating at 298
K and 1013 kPa and the equilibrium data given in the figure. The solute A diffuses through stagnant
B in the gas phase and then through a non-diffusing liquid. Using correlations for dilute solutions in
wetted-wall towers, the film mass-transfer coefficient for A in the gas phase is predicted as:
𝑘𝑥′ 𝑎 = 1.0 × 10−2 kg mol/s ∙ m3 ∙ mol frac ; 𝑘𝑦′ 𝑎 = 5.0 × 10−2 kg mol/s ∙ m3 ∙ mol frac
′𝑎
𝑘′ 𝑎 𝑘𝑦
Compute the slope of the tie lie using − [(1−𝑥𝑥 )
]⁄[(1−𝑦 ]
𝐴𝐿 𝐴𝐺 )

If required, assume 𝑎 = 10 m2 /m3 , and answer the following by filling up the table

𝑥𝑖 𝑦𝑖 𝑥∗ 𝑦∗

0.30 0.265 0.315 0.053

(1 − 𝑥𝑖 )𝑀 (1 − 𝑦𝑖 )𝑀 𝑘𝑥 𝑎 𝑘𝑦 𝑎

0.797 0.817 0.0125 0.070

𝐾𝑥 𝑎 Gas film resist. (%) Liquid film resist. (%) Molar flux

0.0115 14.4 85.6 0.00025/0.0025

Final Exam Fall 2017¬2018:
The solute A is being absorbed from a gas mixture of A and B in a wetted-wall tower with the liquid flowing as
a film downward along the wall. At a certain point in the tower the bulk gas concentration y AG = 0.35 mol
fraction and the bulk liquid concentration is xAL = 0.20. The tower is operating at 298 K and 1013 kPa and the
equilibrium data given in the figure. The solute A diffuses through stagnant Bin the gas phase and then through
a non-diffusing liquid.
Using correlations for dilute solutions in wetted-wall towers, the film mass-transfer coefficient for A in the gas
phase is predicted as:
𝑘𝑦′ 𝑎 = 6.16 × 10−2 kg mol/s ∙ m3 ∙ mol frac
𝑘𝑥′ 𝑎 = 6.16 × 10−2 kg mol/s ∙ m3 ∙ mol frac
Calculate the overall mass transfer coefficient 𝐾𝑦′ 𝑎 and the percent resistance in the gas and the liquid films
and the flux NA. If required, assume 𝑎 = 10 m2 /m3 . Use the given figure showing the equilibrium line and
make only one trial to obtain interface concentration assuming (1 − 𝑦𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 = (1 − 𝑥𝐴 )𝑖𝑀 = 1.