Effect of diffusivity on gas-side mass transfer coefficient

Abstract

The effect of diffusivity on gas-side mass transfer coefficient was studied in an experimental bubble column. A fourteen-fold variation of diffusivity was obtained by using a variety of solutes and carrier gases. Both absorption and vaporization experiments were carried out, sometimes for the same solute. The absorption experiments were unambiguously gas-film controlled. The gas-side mass transfer coefficient varies as 0.5 power of the diffusivity under similar hydrodynamic conditions. Schmidt number is most unlikely to be the pertinent variable. It is also likely that the gas-side mass transfer coefficient varies as 0.33 power of the submergence and 0.75 power of the gas flow rate.