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Fick's Law of Diffusion Explained

Fick's law of diffusion states that the molar flux of a diffusing species is proportional to the concentration gradient. The proportionality constant is called the diffusion coefficient. Diffusion coefficients are highest in gases and lowest in solids. They increase with temperature. There are analogies between Fick's law of diffusion, Fourier's law of heat conduction, and Newton's law of viscosity. Steady state molecular diffusion rates can be calculated through a constant area by integrating flux equations under certain assumptions like ideal gas behavior and uniform temperature and area. Different cases of steady state diffusion are discussed, including diffusion through a non-diffusing medium.

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49 views14 pages

Fick's Law of Diffusion Explained

Fick's law of diffusion states that the molar flux of a diffusing species is proportional to the concentration gradient. The proportionality constant is called the diffusion coefficient. Diffusion coefficients are highest in gases and lowest in solids. They increase with temperature. There are analogies between Fick's law of diffusion, Fourier's law of heat conduction, and Newton's law of viscosity. Steady state molecular diffusion rates can be calculated through a constant area by integrating flux equations under certain assumptions like ideal gas behavior and uniform temperature and area. Different cases of steady state diffusion are discussed, including diffusion through a non-diffusing medium.

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Ali Usman
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Mass Transfer

Fundamentals
(ChE-206)
Lecture No. 4
Fick’s Law of Diffusion
•  The molar flux of a species relative to an observer moving with molar average
velocity is proportional to the concentration gradient of the species.
• If component A is diffusing in a binary mixture of A and B, the flux of A will
be:
 𝐽 ∝ 𝑑𝐶 𝐴
𝐴
𝑑𝑧

 𝐽 =− 𝐷 𝑑𝐶 𝐴
𝐴 𝐴𝐵
𝑑𝑧
• DAB is the proportionality constant, called the diffusion coefficient or
diffusivity of A in a mixture of A & B.
• JA is a positive quantity. The negative sign is due to the decreasing
concentration
• What are the dimensions of Diffusion Coefficient?
Diffusion Co-efficient
• The diffusion coefficients, are highest in gases and lowest in solids.
The diffusion coefficients of gases are several orders of magnitude
greater than those of liquids.
• Diffusion coefficients increase with temperature.
• Example: The diffusion coefficient (mass diffusion rate) of carbon
through iron increases by 6000 times as the temperature is raised
from 500°C to 1000°C.
Gases >>(5*10-6----1*10-5 )

DAB Liquids>>(10-10----10-9)
2
(m /s)

Solids>>(10 ----10 )
-14 -10
Analogy between heat, mass and
momentum transport
• Fick’s law of diffusion
𝑑𝐶 𝐴
𝐽  𝐴 =− 𝐷 𝐴𝐵
𝑑𝑧

• Fourier’s law of heat conduction


𝑑𝑇
𝑞  𝑧 =− 𝑘
𝑑𝑧

• Newton’s law of viscosity


𝑑𝑢 𝑥
𝜏  𝑧𝑥 =− 𝜇
𝑑𝑧
Molar flux in a stationary frame of
reference
• Derivation on board
Self Study
Argument:
• Expressions for JA and NA should be expressed in terms of mole
fraction rather than the gradient of concentration or partial pressure.
For an ideal gas mixture
• The mutual diffusivities of A and B will be equal.
Steady state molecular diffusion
through a constant area in a binary
mixture
• Calculation of molecular diffusion rate from one point to another is
necessary.
• Flux equation cannot be used directly, since it includes the
concentration gradient.
• Concentration gradient is difficult to measure, however concentration
can be measured easily.
• Rate of diffusion can be calculated by integrating the flux equations:
Basis for integration
• The are through which diffusion occurs is constant.
• The gas mixture is ideal.
• The temperature is uniform.
• Diffusion occurs at steady state.

Different cases of steady state molecular diffusion


• Diffusion of A through Non-diffusing B
• Equimolar counterdiffusion of A and B
• Non-equimolar counter diffusion of A and B
Diffusion of A through Non-diffusing
B
• One component is diffusing and other is non-diffusing.
• In a sulphuric acid plant, dry air is required for burning of sulphur.
• Air is dried in a packed tower.
• Moisture (A) diffuses through a layer or film of air (B) reached the acid
surface and gets absorbed in it.
• Moisture has a source (bulk air) and a sink (acid) while dry air has a
source but no sink.
• Air is non-diffusing, hence its flux will be zero.
Partial pressure distribution of A and
B
Self study
• Example 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5

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