Important Mass Transfer Concepts

1) Equilibrium Relation
It is mainly got using a set of experimental data.
The equilibrium relation is specific for certain system,
temperature, and pressure.
Mainly reaching equilibrium isnt economically favorable.
It represents one of the constraints for the chemical engineer.
It defines your borders!
It is vital for the design of the mass transfer equipment.



2
2) Operating Curve (Line)
It is got by performing overall balance on the equipment.
(mass and heat balance)
We can have one or more operating curves for one equipment.
It is so called because any point on this line (curve) represents
the bulk concentrations of the phases at any section of the
equipment (As if the equipment operates along this line!)


3
2) Operating Curve (Line) (Contd)

(Ponchon-Savarit) method
used in distillation is an
example of having more
than one operating line.



4
3) Number of stages
Based on the overall efficiency, we have certain relation between
ideal and actual stages.
Ideal stages can be calculated graphically using the method
shown in the figure.
For packed column, we dont
have stages. But, we have
a concept known as number
of transfer units.


5
4) Pinch Point
No separation will be affected, as there is zero driving force.
Infinite number of stages is required.
One of the flow rates is at its minimum value.
The operating flow rates are determined based on it.


6
5) Rate of mass transfer
Rate = mass transfer coefficient * Area * Driving force
Driving force can be the pressure or concentration difference.
The units of mass transfer coefficient depends upon the driving
force.
The mass transfer coefficient is very important in determining the
plate efficiency, and thus in the design of the plate column.
The mass transfer coefficient is very important in determining the
height of transfer unit, and thus in the design of the packed
column.
The mass transfer coefficient is mainly got using empirical
equations.



7
6) Why do we calulate number of stages graphically?!
In the mass transfer applications, we mainly have mass balance
and equilibrium relations only, so why dont we solve them
together to get the number of stages?!
To answer this question, we will take a simple example on an
absorption column:
We will further assume that the equilibrium relation can be
substituted by a straight line (Y= X)
The overall mass balance equation is:




8
6) Why do we calculate number of stages graphically?! (Contd)
Substituting the equilibrium relation in the mass balance gives:



The previous is known as a First order finite difference
equation. It is solved by certain mathematical technique to get
after more than 4 or 5 steps:





9
6) Why do we calculate number of stages graphically?! (Contd)
Finally!
10
Note that this difficult form is got when assuming straight line
equilibrium relation, and binary system.

What if we have actual case with non-straight line equilibrium
relation and multi-component system?