Mass transfer is the movement of mass from one location to another, typically involving the transfer of molecules in a mixture due to concentration gradients .
Diffusion is the movement of molecules from a region of high concentration to low concentration due to random molecular motion. Convection involves the bulk movement of fluid, carrying mass with it.
The mass transfer coefficient is a measure of the mass transfer rate per unit area per unit concentration difference. It quantifies the ease with which a species moves from one phase to another.
The mass transfer coefficient is a measure of the mass transfer rate per unit area per unit concentration difference. It quantifies the ease with which a species moves from one phase to another.
The primary driving forces for mass transfer are concentration gradients (for diffusion) and partial pressure gradients (for gas-phase transfer).
In steady-state mass transfer, the concentration profile does not change with time. In unsteady-state mass transfer, the concentration profile changes with time.
In distillation, mass transfer occurs between the liquid and vapor phases. Components with different volatilities separate based on their ability to move from one phase to another.
Process stability ensures that the process returns to a desired state after disturbances, crucial for consistent and safe operation.
They help reduce environmental pollution by decomposing naturally through microbial activity.
The overall mass transfer coefficient can be determined by combining the individual mass transfer coefficients for each phase. It accounts for resistances in both phases and is often calculated using the reciprocal of the sum of the resistances in each phase.