1.

0 Abstract:

The purpose of this experiment was to find the gas diffusion coefficient of acetone in air. The
method used for this experiment is called the winkleman method. In this method the level of
acetone is determined after brief intervals of time. After the first two intervals the temperature
was changed in order to compare the result of the effect of temperature on diffusion. The
Temperature was set 400C for the first 2 intervals and 48oC for the last two intervals. For each
interval the level of acetone was determined. Two graph of t/L-Lo (s/mm) against L-Lo (mm)
were plotted for each temperature and the gradient, s of the graph calculated. The gradient
obtained was used to calculate the diffusion coefficient by using Ficks law with mathematical
derivations.

2.0 Introduction:

Diffusion explains the net flux of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of
lower concentration against a concentration gradient. When the concentrations are equal a state
of equilibrium is reached in which the molecules still continue to move but the distribution is
uniform.
Molecular diffusion of gasses occurs when material is transported in stagnant fluid or across
streamlines of a fluid in a laminar flow occurs. Consider two adjacent compartments separated
by a partition, containing pure gases A or B. Random movement of all molecules occurs so that
after a period molecules are found remote from their original positions. If the partition is
removed, some molecules of A move towards the region occupied by B, their number depends on
the number of molecules at the point considered. Concurrently, molecules of B diffuse toward
regimens formerly occupied by pure A. Finally, complete mixing occurs. Before this point in
time, a gradual variation in the concentration of A occurs along an axis, designated x, which joins
the original compartments. This variation, expressed mathematically as -dCA/dx, where CA is the
concentration of A. The negative sign arises because the concentration of A decreases as the

distance x increases. Similarly, the variation in the concentration of gas B is -dCB/dx. The rate of
diffusion of A, NA, depend on concentration gradient and the average velocity with which the
molecules of A moves in the x direction. This relationship is expressed by Fick's Law

(only applicable for no bulk motion)

Where D is the Diffusivity of A through B.Ca is the concentration of a in the x direction and x is
the direction of the concentration gradient. The rate of Diffusion NA,is usually expressed as the
number of moles diffusing across unit area in unit time. As with the basic equation of heat
transfer, this indicates that the rate of force is directly proportional to the driving force, which is
the concentration gradient.
In the experiment acetone was used by putting it in a capillary tube and setting it under a water
bath under constant temperature. Throughout the experiment the mass transfer of acetone from
its liquid state to vapor state was witnessed. So after the first two interval, which were 60 min
apart for the temperature set 40oC the level of acetone in the capillary tube was checked via
microscope. After this first two intervals the temperature was changed to 48oC and the level of
acetone checked after 40 min intervals. The supply of air is provided throughout the experiment
on top of the capillary tube, so that the concentration gradient is kept low. If concentration isnt
kept low a state of equilibrium might be reached.
The rate of mass transfer is given by

C
N A' A
L

CT

C BM

Where
D

= Diffusivity (m2/s)

CA = Saturation concentration at interface (kmol/m3)

L

= Effective distance of mass transfer (mm)

CBM = Logarithmic mean molecular concentration of vapour

(kmol/m3)
CT = Total molecular concentration (kmol/m3)

Diffusion is very important in todays industries and is used in many industrial process such
absorpdtion,adsorption.It also has application in material science, such as in carburization,
nuclear waste and semi-conductors.

3.0 Apparatus:

4.0 Experimental procedure:

1) the capillary tube was partially filled with acetone to a depth of approximately 35mm. The top
nut was removed from metal fitting.
2) Capillary tube was carefully inserted into the tube through the rubber ring, inside the metal
until the top of the tube rested on the top of the nut.
3) The assembly was gently screwed onto the top plate, with the Tpiece normal too the
microscope. The flexible air tube was connected to one end of the T piece. The object lens was
adjusted to within20-30mm from the tank.
4) The vertical height of the microscope was adjusted until the capillary tube was visible. When
the meniscus had been determined, the vernier scale was aligned with suitable graduation on the
fixed scale.
5) The pump was switched on.
6) The level inside the capillary tube was recorded.
7) The temperature controlled water bath was switched on and a steady temperature of 480C was
obtained.
8) Then, approximately after 60 minutes water bath was switched off and the level change inside
the capillary tube was recorded.
9) The bath was switched on and the procedure was repeated approximately after every
60minutes.

10) After two interval the temperature of the water bath was changed to 48oC and the readings
for two more 40 minutes interval were noted

5.0 Results:

lo=10.3 mm

Table 5.1 (Temp at 400C)

T

L-Lo

T/L-Lo

(Ks)
0

(mm)
10.3

(mm)
0

(Ks/mm)
0.000

3.6

13.5

3.2

1.125

7.2

16.1

5.8

1.241

Table 5.2 (Temp at 480C)

T

L-Lo

T/L-Lo

(Ks)
0

(mm)
16.9

(mm)
0

(Ks/mm)
0.000

19.7

2.8

1.071

23.2

6.3

0.952

Asfand Yar
1.2
f(x) = 0.14x + 0.24

1
0.8

t/l-lo ks/mm 0.6

0.4
0.2
0

l-lo mm

Fig 5.3

Chart Title

Asfand Yar
1.2
f(x) = 0.14x + 0.24

1
0.8

t/l-lo ks/mm 0.6

0.4
0.2
0

l-lo mm

Fig 5.4
Calculations:
Data
Temperature T1 = 40oC=313 k
Molecular weight of acetone = 58.08 kg/kmol.
Density of acetone = 790 kg/m3
Absolute temperature=273 K
vapor pressure= Pv =56.25 KPa
Atmospheric pressure = Pa = 101.3 KPa
8
Slope S1 from table 5.1 =0.2192ks/mm2 = 2.192 10

Pa Pv
Pa

C B 2

CT =

1
CT CT
Kmol Vol

1
273

22.4 313

= 0.0389 Kmol/m3

Tabs

CT = CB1 = 0.0389 Kmol/m3

CB2 =

101.356.25
0.0389
101.3

=0.0173 Kmol/m3

C B1 C B2

C Bm

ln C B1
C

B2

CBm =

0.03890.0173
0.0889
ln
0.0173

= 0.0267 Kmol/m3

 P
C A v CT
Pa

2 Ms

CA =

C BM

C A CT

56.25
0.0389
101.3

= 0.0216 Kmol/m3

D@40oc =

790

8
2 58.08 (2.192 10 )

0.0267
0.0216 0.0389

= 9.859 10-7 m2/s

Temperature T1 = 40oC = 313 k

Molecular weight of acetone = 58.08 kg/kmol.
Density of acetone = 790 kg/m3
Absolute temperature=273 K
vapor pressure= Pv =75.77 KPa

Atmospheric pressure = Pa = 101.3 KPa

Slope S2 from table 5.2 = 0.1436 ks/mm2 = 1.436 108 s/m2

CT = CB1 = 0.0380 Kmol/m3

Pa Pv
Pa

C B 2

CB2 =

CT

101.375.77
0.0380
101.3

=0.0096 Kmol/m3

C Bm

C B1 C B2
ln C B1
C

B2

CBm =

0.03800.0096
0.0380
ln
0.0096

P
C A v CT
Pa

75.77
0.0380
101.3

CA =

= 0.0284 Kmol/m3

2 Ms

C BM

C ACT

``

= 0.0206 Kmol/m3

D@48oc =

790

8
2 58.08 (1.436 10 )

0.0206
0.0284 0.0380

= 9.040 10-7 m2/s

6.0 Discussion:

The purpose of the experiment was to find diffusivity coefficient for acetone at different set of
temperature for some time intervals. The results obtained show that when the temperature was
set 40 o C, The diffusion after 60 min for both intervals was almost steady. Acetone level
decreased by 3.2 mm for the first interval and then 2.6 mm more for the second interval. When
the temperature was increased the reading of acetone was 2.8 mm after the first 40 min interval
and 3.5mm decreased more after the second interval.
Now from these results obtained it can be see that acetone level decreased more when at high
temperature.6.3 mm for the 48 o C compared to 5.8mm for the 40 o C. This shows that more
acetone was evaporated and diffused at higher temperature. The reason being as temperature is
increased the molecules gain more energy and our able to break the bonds holding them together
more easily. It also has to be taken into account that the time difference was less for the higher
temperature experiment compared to the lower temperature experiment. If more time more
acetone would have evaporated and diffused.

Graph of (t/L-Lo) versus (L-Lo) is plotted and the slope, s is determined which was 1.436
8

108 s/m2 for the 48 o C and 2.192 10

for the 40 o C. Theoretically should get a straight line

graph, but the actual graph obtained is fluctuated. Which proves some errors were made during
the experiment.
The diffusivity coefficient for the 40 o C was obtained to be 9.859 10-7 m2/s while for the 48 o C
it was 9.040 10-7 m2/s. There is inconsistency with the result as diffusivity coefficient for the 40
o

C should be less compared to the 48 o C. This clearly proves that there were mistakes made

during the experiment.

One of the reasons for error be that the water temperature was not constant, which can affect the
evaporation of the acetone. The other being the parallax error when taking readings as the scales
were very small. In order the temperature to be stabilized for all the water, the water bath must
leave at least one hour after set the temperature. Furthermore,
The temperature controller should not set above 50 to avoid acetone from boiling

7.0 Conclusion:
From the results it can be concluded that at higher temperature more acetone evaporated and
diffused but the graph is not a straight line graph while the diffusivity coefficient for the 40 o C is
more compared to the 48 o C. Which shows the experiment was not entirely a success and errors
were made. In order to improve the accuracy of the experiment some precaution should be taken
for this experiment. The precautions include when setting temperature leave the water bath for at
least one hour to settle. The temperature should not cross above 50 in order to avoid
acetone from boiling.
8.0 References:

1) Mass diffusivity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2015. [ONLINE] Available

at:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mass_diffusivity. [Accessed 02 May 2015].

2) Diffusion Theory 2015. [ONLINE] Available

at:http://thesis.library.caltech.edu/1586/11/10Chapter2.pdf. [Accessed 02 May 2015].

3) Welty,Wicks,Wilson and Rorrer (2007)) Fundamentals of Momentum, Heat and mass transfer,
5th edition, United states : Jhon wiley and Sons,Inc.