VAPOUR IN AIR DIFFUSION

OBJECTIVE

Study of the effect of temperature on the diffusion coefficient.

AIM

To determine the diffusion coefficient of an organic vapor (i.e. Acetone) in air.

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF VAPOUR IN AIR DIFFUSION

OBSERVATIONS

AT 43.50C

Diffusion for Acetone:

Total pressure = P = 101.3, kN/m2

Gas Law Constant = R = 8.314, m3-kPa/kmol- k
Operating Temperature = T = 316.5K
Density of Acetone, = l = 0.764 g/cm3
X0 = 8mm
S. No Time, t, Sec*103 X, mm
1 0 7
2 1.2 7.1
3 2.4 7.2
4 3.6 7.2

AT 50.50C

Diffusion for Acetone:

Total pressure = P = 101.3, kN/m2

Gas Law Constant = R = 8.3314, m3-kPa/kmol- k
Operating Temperature = T = 323.5K
Density of Acetone, = l = 0.755 g/cm3
X0 = 8mm
S. No Time, t, Sec*103 X, mm
1 0 7
2 1.2 7.1
3 2.4 7.2
4 3.6 7.3

CALCULATIONS

AT 43.50C

PV = 64216 Pa
(x - xo), t / (x - xo),
mm Sec*103/mm
0
0.1 12
0.2 12
0.2 18

m = 30 s*103/mm2 = 30*105 107 s/m2 (from graph)

Mol. Wt of acetone (MA) = 58.8 kg/kmol

CT = P/RT = 101325/(8.314*316.5) = 0.038 kmol/m3
Conc. acetone (CA) = 0.024 kmol/m3
Density of acetone,l = 764 kg/m3
CB1 = 0.038 kmol/m3
CB2 = 0.014 kmol/m3
CBm = 0.024 kmol /m3
Diffusion Coefficient (DAB) = 5.77E-07 m2 /s

AT 50.50C

PV = 82877 Pa

(x - xo), t / (x - xo),
mm Sec*103/mm
0
0.1 12
0.2 12
0.3 12

The value of slope is too small to be determined by the apparatus so the diffusion coefficient is
determined by formula

PT = 101325 Pa
PB2 = 18448 Pa
PB1 = 101325 Pa
Rho = 755 kg/m3
DAB = 1.298E-7 m2/s

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The value of DAB is significantly different from that given in literature 0.98E-6 [1], the reasons for
this deviations might be as follows -

1. The least count of the apparatus is insufficient to determine the diffusion

coefficient. A possible solution is to allow the experiment to run for more time, or
increase the temperature of the water bath.
2. The sample provided was highly contaminated ( leaving a white powdery residue
on evaporation ) leading to reduced values of DAB.
3. Ideal gas approximations are used in calculations leading to error in results which
cumulated with each step.

REFERENCES

1. Diffusion of Acetone in Air, Bryan John ,Jeremy Alley