ACETONE

DIFFUSION
THROUGH AIR

Contents

Introduction
Theory
Experimental Apparatus
Experimental Method
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
References
List of Symbols
Appendices

3
4-5
6
7
8-9
10
11
12
13
14

Introduction
2

A molecular diffusion experiment was set up, with several aims. These were to
illustrate the theory of mass transfer, to calculate the diffusivity of acetone
through air, to examine the influence of temperature on the diffusivity and
finally to compare the results obtained with those obtained with different
experimental methods.
The flow of mass in a liquid or gas generally involves the flow of fluid through
a material; solids however can support shear stresses and hence mass is
transferred by diffusion. Diffusion can be described as either diffusion in a
uniform concentration or diffusion in a non-uniform concentration. Uniform
concentration obeys Ficks first law, where the constant of proportionality is
known as the diffusion coefficient. Ficks first law applies to a steady state flux
in a uniform concentration gradient. Diffusion in a non-uniform concentration
gradient obeys Ficks second law of diffusion, with the assumption that
diffusivity is independent of the concentration.

Theory
The flux of acetone molecules can be calculated from Ficks Law through a
stagnant layer of air molecules which are non-diffusing, this gives the equation:

In the case of this experiment, acetone is diffusing through the air, however air
is not diffusing back into the acetone. The cross-sectional area through which
the diffusion occurs is constant along the length of the tube throughout the
experiment. This allows the flux to be calculated.
The air passing over the top of the tube has no acetone, hence P A 2 is zero.
PA1

can be calculated for any given water temperature, using vapour pressure

data for acetone from this the rate of diffusion is also calculated from the rate
of evaporation, as shown in Equation 2:

Equating and integrating these two equations give Equation 3 as follows:

From this, the diffusivity of acetone in air can be found by plotting a graph of
z f z o
2

against t r and taking the gradient from the straight lines plotted. With

this information, the relationship between temperature and diffusivity in the gas
state can be seen.

Fuler, et al developed the relationship between the total pressure, absolute

temperature and diffusivity. This is shown below:

From this, it can be seen that the diffusivity should be proportional to the
absolute temperature raised to the power of 1.75.

Experimental Apparatus

The apparatus was set up as follows:

Figure 1: Schematic of experimental set up

Figure 2: Photograph of experimental set up

Experimental Method
The ambient pressure of the room was taken prior to the experiment
commencing.
The air pump was set up to initiate a gentle air flow through the T-piece. The
water bath was filled with water at the required temperature for run 1, this was
then followed by the test tube being filled to the highest graduation with
acetone, so as to match the level of water in the bath. The T-piece was then reattached and the experiment could commence. The graduation level of liquid
meniscus was read every 2 minutes for 20 minutes. Once this was completed,
the same procedure was carried out with differing temperatures for different
runs, with the acetone being replenished each time.

Results
Run
Water Bath
Temperature( Deg C)
Time (Mins)
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
(zf^2 - zo^2)
8

35
Distance below top of
tube (m)
0.045
0.050
0.055
0.055
0.056
0.057
0.058
0.058
0.058
0.058
0.059

45

50

0.030
0.035
0.036
0.038
0.039
0.040
0.045
0.048
0.050
0.051
0.052

0.050
0.055
0.057
0.057
0.058
0.059
0.060
0.061
0.061
0.062
0.064

0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20

0.00
0
0.00
0
0.00
1
0.00
1
0.00
1
0.00
1
0.00
1
0.00
1
0.00
1
0.00
1
0.00
1

0.000

0.000

0.000

0.001

0.000

0.001

0.001

0.001

0.001

0.001

0.001

0.001

0.001

0.001

0.001

0.001

0.002

0.001

0.002

0.001

0.002

0.002

Graph of zf^2 - zo^2 VS T

0.002
f(x) = 0x + 0
f(x)
f(x) =
= 0x
0x +
+0
0

0.002

zf^2 - zo^2

0.001
0.001
0.000

10

15

20

9.00E-05
308
750.81
322.62
2.59E-04

6.00E-05
318
750.81
509.55
1.34E-04

25

Gradient of Plot
Absolute Temperature (K)
Total System Pressure (mmHg)
Vapour pressure of acetone at liquid surface (mmHg)
Diffusivity of Acetone in air (m^2/s)

10

6.00E-052
323
750.81
611.67
8.89E-05

Discussion
The aim of this experiment was to calculate the diffusivity of acetone through
air, to examine the influence of temperature on the diffusivity and finally to
compare the results obtained with those obtained with different experimental
methods.
The results obtained for the diffusivity of acetone in air experimentally, by using
the gradient of the graph, are very close to those obtained by calculation using
the equations mentioned previously. This would suggest the experiment was a
success. As well as this, the influence on temperature on the diffusivity has been
proven as shown in the results the results were as expected in the hypothesis.
Finally, the results obtained experimentally for the diffusivity of acetone in air,
are again very close to those obtained experimentally using other methods. This
again would suggest the experiment was a success.
Despite the apparent success of the experiment, there were several sources of
error in this experiment. Due to the practical set up of the test tube in the water
bath, it was very difficult to measure the meniscus level accurately if this
experiment were to be repeated, a graduated test tube would be used as this
would ensure greater accuracy in measuring the meniscus level.
Furthermore, the assumption was made that the temperature remained constant
whilst the experiment was being carried out this, however, is unlikely to be
true if this experiment were to be repeated a method of ensuring the
temperature was kept constant would be explored.

Conclusion
11

To conclude, this experiment can be considered a success for the

aforementioned reasons. The diffusivity determined experimentally was very
similar to that obtained by calculation using different methods. As well as this
the effect of temperature on diffusivity was proven to be as hypothesised. The
slight difference in between experimental and calculation can partly be
attributed to the sources of error mentioned previously the inaccuracy in
measuring due to the equipment used, as well as the fact that the temperature of
the water bath did not remain constant throughout the experiment. If this
experiment were to be repeated a graduated test tube would be used and a
method of keeping the water temperature constant would be explored, in order
to ensure greater accuracy.

References
12

Incropera, F.P., D.P. DeWitt (1996), Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer,
John Wiley & Sons, Pages 460, 582-612. (1996)
Sinnott, R. and Towler, G. (2010). Coulson and Richardson's Chemical
engineering. Amsterdam: Elsevier. Pages 634-650
Maloney, J. (2008). Perry's chemical engineers' handbook. [New York]:
McGraw-Hill.

List of Symbols
13

Appendices
14

Appendix 1 Sample Calculations

All calculations are based on results from Run 1

Total System Pressure=1001 mbar=10010.750062=750.81 mmHg

Vapour Pressure of Acetone at Liquid Surface @35 via interpolation

200+

(400200)
( 3522.7 )=322.62 mmHg
(39.522.7)

Diffusivity of Acetone air=

0.001=1200 Da

Da=

15

[(

258.07100099.8
100099.8
ln
7918314.508
100099.843012.47

0.31
4 2
=2.58 X 10 m / s
1200

) (

)]