Hydrogen gas is purified by causing it to diffusion through a thin sheet (diaphr

Question

Hydrogen gas is purified by causing it to diffusion through a thin sheet (diaphragm) of palladium (Pd). Having a much smaller atom size than other gases in air, hydrogen diffuses much faster by an interstitial mechanism.

If the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen in palladium is 1.0x10-8 m2/s, how many kilograms of hydrogen will pass per hour through a 4.0 mm thick sheet of palladium having an area of 0.10 m2 at 600°C? Assume that the concentrations of hydrogen at the high-pressure and low-pressure sides of the palladium sheet are 2.0 and 0.5 kg of hydrogen per cubic meter of palladium and that the source and sink are very large volumes.

Explanation / Answer

According to fick's law

mass of hydrogen that passes =   J * A * ( Co - Cf) * 3600 / t

                                              = 10^-8 * 0.1 * (2 - 0.5) * 3600 / 0.004

                                              = 0.00135 kg   in an hour

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