Massiülekanne

Massiülekanne, often translated as mass transfer, is a fundamental process in chemical engineering and physics where a component moves from one phase to another. This movement is driven by a difference in concentration or chemical potential of the component. The rate of mass transfer depends on factors such as the driving force, the interfacial area between the phases, and the coefficients governing the transfer.

Common examples of mass transfer include evaporation, where a liquid transforms into a gas, or dissolution, where a solid dissolves into a liquid. Absorption, where a gas is absorbed into a liquid, and extraction, where a solute is transferred from one liquid phase to another, are also significant mass transfer operations. In biological systems, processes like nutrient uptake by cells or gas exchange in the lungs are examples of mass transfer.

Understanding and quantifying mass transfer is crucial for designing and optimizing various industrial processes, including distillation, absorption towers, chemical reactors, and drying equipment. The study of mass transfer helps engineers predict how quickly and efficiently a desired separation or reaction will occur, leading to more efficient and cost-effective operations.