Mass & Heat Transfer Lab

BKF3721

Faculty of Chemical & Natural Resources Engineering

Experiment 8
DIFFUSION OF SODIUM CHLORIDE IN WATER

Name
Matric No.
Group
Program
Section
Date

Semester II - Session 2013/2014

EXPERIMENT 8: DIFFUSION OF SODIUM CHLORIDE IN WATER

OBJECTIVE
To determine the liquid diffusion coefficient of NaCl solution in distilled/de-ionized water.

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INTRODUCTION
Diffusion is the transport matter from one point to another point by kinetic energy of random
molecular motion. The most common driving force of diffusion is a concentration gradient of
diffusing fluids. Concentration gradients tend to move the fluid in such a direction as to equalize
concentrations and destroy the gradients. Diffusion also can force by an activity gradient, pressure
gradient, temperature gradient or external force fluid. Diffusion is not restricted to molecular
transfer through stagnant layers of solid or fluid.
Diffusion in liquid is sensitive to the composition change but relatively insensitive to
changes in pressure. Diffusion of high viscosity, syrup liquids and macromolecules is slower. When
solutes molecules diffuse through a solution, solvent molecules must be pushed out of the way. For
this reason, liquid-phase inter diffusion coefficients are inversely proportional to both the viscosity
of the solvent and the effective radius of the solute molecules.
When a concentration gradient exists within a fluid consisting of two or
more components, there is a tendency for each constituent to flow in such a
direction as to reduce the concentration gradient. This is known as mass
transfer. It takes place in either a gas or a liquid phase or in both phases
simultaneously.
Rate of diffusion is given by:

J D
Where
mol/cm s
D
C
x

C
x

(1)

= diffusion flux across unit area to the x-direction (right side),

= diffusivity, cm /s
2

= concentration gradient in the x-direction,

mol / cm 3
cm

The negative sign indicates that the flow is from high to low concentration.
By expanding Equation (1) using respective terms constitutive relations, we get

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d 2 M
V dk
N
D
C M dt
x
4

(2)

Rearranging gives
D

4Vx
dk
d NMC M dt
2

(3)

where V = volume of water in diffusion vessel, L

x = length of capillaries, cm
d = capillaries diameter, cm
N = number of capillaries
M = molar concentration of NaCl solution, mol/L
CM = conductivity change per unit molar concentration change, S/mol/L-1

dk
dt

= rate of conductivity change over time

The slope obtained from the plot of conductivity as function of time can be
used to calculate the diffusivity.
EQUIPMENT/ APPARATUS/ MATERIAL
LS-32136-B Liquid diffusion apparatus

Figure 1: Liquid Diffusion Coefficient Apparatus

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This liquid diffusion coefficient apparatus is used to determine the

diffusivity of NaCl solution in distilled water. A known concentration of NaCl
solution is placed in a diffusion cell immersed in distilled water. A magnetic
stirrer and a conductivity meter are provided to monitor the progress of
diffusion over time. A plot of conductivity against time will allow for the
determination of the liquid diffusivity. The concentration at the chosen lower
ends is taken to be constant while the concentration at top end is effectively
zero during experiment.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES
1. Prepare

standard

salt

solution

and

get

its

conductivity

by

using

conductivity meter. (Must ensure the standard curve data covers the
experimental sample data).
2. Prepare the solution of 100mL, 3M NaCl.
3. Determine the number of capillaries (holes) of the PVC round plate in the Jtube. (The diameter is 2 mm while the height is 10.0 mm).
4. Clamp the higher end of the J-tube to the J-tube clamper. Be careful when
clamping the J-tube.
5. Pour NaCl solution to the J-tube until the liquid just reaches the tops of the
capillaries. Kindly wipe away the excess solution with a soft tissue.
6. Insert the connectivity probe to the liquid vessel. Ensure the cable is
connected to the digital conductivity meter.
7. Pour 1000 ml of deionised water into the test vessel.

8. Switch ON the magnetic stirrer and set the speed at 300 rpm.
9. Switch ON the conductivity meter. Ensure there is reading shown in the
meter.
10.

Place the J-tube into the test vessel. Care must be taken in this

procedure. No solution should be dropped to deionised water.

11.

Fill the test vessel with small amount of water until the capillary tops

are submerged approximately 5 mm below the surface of the water.

Record the amount of water added to the test vessel.

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12.

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At the same time, when the capillary tops are submerged, start the

stop watch.
13.

For every 2 minutes, take the conductivity value for a time period of

40 minutes.
14.

Once the experiment done, kindly remove all the glassware and rinse

with deionised water.

RESULT
Table 1: Standard curve data for sodium chloride
NaCl concentration (M)
0.0000
0.0010
0.0015
0.0020
0.0030
0.0040
0.0050
0.0100
0.0150

Conductivity

Table 2: Experimental Data

Time (min)

Conductivity

DISCUSSIONS
Discuss all your results. The questions below only serve as a guideline. Your
discussion should not only limit to these questions.

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1. Plot a graph of conductivity versus time. Determine the liquid diffusivity of

NaCl solution from the obtained slope.
2. Compare the experimental value with theoretical value (can be from the
literature review or calculation using liquid diffusion equation, e.g: WilkeChang etc.).