Learning Resources

Example CD11-1: Calculating Steady-State Fluxes

Determine the molar flux of ammonia, WA,and the mass flux of ammonia, mA,through the stationary frame at steady state for the system shown in Figure CDE11-1.1. Ammonia is diffusing at steady state from point 1 to point 2. There are 12.04 x 1023 molecules of ammonia that pass through an area bounded by a stationary frame with a dimension of 1 m x 2 m in the direction of the lower concentration and over a time interval of 10 s.

 
       
   

Solution

The flux is the flow rate per unit area normal to the direction of flow. The number of moles of ammonia crossing the boundary in the 10-s interval is

 
       
    image 11eq12.gif  
 

Figure CDE11-1.1

 
   

Two moles pass through an area of 2 m2 in 10 s. Therefore, the number of moles passing through 1 m2 per second is

 
       
   

image 11eq13.gif

(CDE11-1.1)

       
   

The molar flow rate is

 
       
   

image 11eq14.gif

(CDE11-1.2)

       
   

The mass flux of A is the molar flux of A times the molecular weight of A, MA:

 
       
   

image 11eq15.gif

(CDE11-1.3)