Home Subjects Chemical Engineering Mass Transfer

Chemical Engineering
Mass Transfer

Process design, thermodynamics, reactions

46 Q 5 Topics Take Mock Test
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Difficulty: All Easy Medium Hard 1–10 of 46
Topics in Chemical Engineering
Q.1 Medium Mass Transfer
In reverse osmosis (RO), the membrane flux equation (Darcy's law for membranes) predicts that flux is:
A Independent of applied pressure
B Proportional to the pressure difference across the membrane
C Inversely proportional to membrane thickness
D Both B and C are correct
Correct Answer:  D. Both B and C are correct
EXPLANATION

RO flux J = (k_m/μ)·ΔP/Δx, where flux is directly proportional to pressure difference and inversely to membrane thickness, following modified Darcy's equation.

Test
Q.2 Medium Mass Transfer
For the absorption of multiple components from a gas stream into an organic solvent, the selectivity depends on:
A Only the diffusion coefficients in the liquid
B The ratio of partition coefficients (Henry's law constants) of the components
C The molecular weight differences
D The column height only
Correct Answer:  B. The ratio of partition coefficients (Henry's law constants) of the components
EXPLANATION

Selectivity = (k_l,A/k_l,B)·(H_B/H_A). While diffusivity ratio affects k_l, the Henry's constant ratio H_B/H_A determines preferential absorption, making partition coefficients critical.

Test
Q.3 Medium Mass Transfer
In a wetted wall column for gas absorption, if the gas film resistance is negligible (R_g ≈ 0), the overall mass transfer coefficient K_g is primarily controlled by:
A Gas diffusivity
B Liquid film resistance with Henry's law constant
C Packing material properties
D Column operating pressure
Correct Answer:  B. Liquid film resistance with Henry's law constant
EXPLANATION

When gas-film resistance is negligible, K_g ≈ k_l/H where H is Henry's constant. The liquid-phase resistance becomes dominant in overall mass transfer.

Test
Q.4 Medium Mass Transfer
For drying of a wet solid in the constant rate period, the controlling mechanism for mass transfer is:
A Diffusion through the solid
B Convective mass transfer from the surface to bulk air
C Internal moisture movement
D Chemical reaction at the surface
Correct Answer:  B. Convective mass transfer from the surface to bulk air
EXPLANATION

During constant rate drying period, surface moisture is continuously replenished from inside, so the external convective mass transfer from wet surface to air is the limiting step.

Test
Q.5 Medium Mass Transfer
In the penetration theory of mass transfer, the mass transfer coefficient varies with contact time (t) as:
A k_c ∝ t
B k_c ∝ 1/√t
C k_c ∝ √(D_AB/t)
D k_c ∝ t²
Correct Answer:  C. k_c ∝ √(D_AB/t)
EXPLANATION

According to penetration theory, k_c = 2√(D_AB/(πt)), showing k_c is inversely proportional to √t. Shorter contact times give higher coefficients.

Test
Q.6 Medium Mass Transfer
A liquid film of thickness δ has a component A diffusing through it with first-order reaction. The Thiele modulus is defined as:
A √(k₁·δ²/D_AB)
B k₁·δ/D_AB
C D_AB/(k₁·δ)
D δ/√(D_AB/k₁)
Correct Answer:  A. √(k₁·δ²/D_AB)
EXPLANATION

For first-order reaction in a film, the Thiele modulus φ = δ√(k₁/D_AB), which compares reaction rate to diffusion rate. It determines whether the process is reaction-controlled or diffusion-controlled.

Test
Q.7 Medium Mass Transfer
In distillation, the Murphree plate efficiency is always:
A Greater than 100%
B Less than or equal to the overall column efficiency
C Independent of stage number
D Equal to the overall efficiency
Correct Answer:  B. Less than or equal to the overall column efficiency
EXPLANATION

Murphree plate efficiency accounts for non-ideal mixing on a plate, therefore it is always less than or equal to the overall efficiency which includes effects of all plates.

Test
Q.8 Medium Mass Transfer
For absorption of sparingly soluble gas in a liquid film, the operating line and equilibrium curve relationship determines:
A Only the temperature of operation
B The driving force and direction of mass transfer
C The viscosity of the liquid
D The density of the gas mixture
Correct Answer:  B. The driving force and direction of mass transfer
EXPLANATION

The vertical distance between operating and equilibrium lines represents the concentration driving force, determining whether absorption occurs and in which direction.

Test
Q.9 Medium Mass Transfer
In a binary gas mixture, if component A is highly soluble in the liquid phase compared to component B, which statement is true regarding absorption?
A Component A has higher mass transfer resistance in the gas phase
B Component B controls the overall mass transfer rate
C Component A controls the overall mass transfer rate
D Both components equally control the rate
Correct Answer:  C. Component A controls the overall mass transfer rate
EXPLANATION

High solubility of A means low liquid-phase resistance for A, making the gas-phase resistance dominant. Thus, gas-phase mass transfer resistance controls the overall rate for A.

Test
Q.10 Medium Mass Transfer
The height of a transfer unit (HTU) in a packed absorption column represents:
A The column height for one theoretical stage
B The height required for one unit of concentration change
C The effective height of packing material
D The bed expansion during operation
Correct Answer:  B. The height required for one unit of concentration change
EXPLANATION

HTU = V·G/(k_G·a·A), where a smaller HTU indicates more efficient mass transfer. It represents the column height needed to achieve one logarithmic unit of concentration driving force reduction.

Test
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