CHE313A: Mass Transfer & Its Applications

Introduction

Introduction to various unit operations (absorption, adsorption, distillation, leaching) and contacting equipment. Introduction to rate and equilibrium-based modelling approaches.

Fundamental of Mass Transfer

Molecular diffusion in gases and liquids, Fick’s law, Continuity equation, Steady and unsteady state transport, diffusion coefficient determination (measurements and correlations), diffusion through variable area, mass transfer coefficient, dimensionless groups in mass transfer, correlations for convective mass transfer coefficient, eddy diffusion, theories of mass transfer (film theory, penetration theory, surface renewal theory, boundary layer theory).

Interphase Mass Transfer and Contactors

Raoult’s law, Henry’s law, mass transfer between phases, overall mass transfer coefficient, mass transfer in continuous and equilibrium contacting equipment, operation lines (steady state counter-current, co-current, cross-current mass transfer), introduction to tray (or plate) and packed tower, hydrodynamic considerations, flooding and loading.

Absorption

Equilibrium in gas-liquid systems, minimum liquid rate, operating lines, packed tower, NTU, HTU, number of stages in tray tower, HETP, tray efficiency.

Distillation

Vapor-liquid equilibrium, T-x-y approach, bubble and dew points, azeotropes, relative volatility, enthalpy-concentration diagrams, flash vaporization, McCabe-Thiele method, Ponchon-Savarit method, minimum and total reflux, introduction to azeotropic distillation.

Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Introduction to liquid-liquid extraction, ternary diagrams, single-stage extraction, multistage crosscurrent extraction, counter-current extraction, continuous counter-current extraction.

Adsorption

Physical and chemical adsorption, adsorption equilibria, isotherms, batch adsorption, adsorption in fixed bed, adsorption dynamics, one-dimensional model, adsorbent regeneration, ion-exchange equilibria, chromatography (introduction).