Mass and Energy Transfer in Multicomponent Systems

In this paper, which is essentially an interpretative review, we develop the theory of multicomponent mass transfer using the Bird, Stewart and Lightfoot approach to binary mass transfer as a consistent basis. Methods of solving the coupled diffusion equations are discussed and procedures for estimating interphase mass transfer coefficients considered. The developed formalisms are applied to a few examples in the areas of distillation, condensation and extraction to demonstrate the importance of considering coupled diffusion effects in multicomponent transfers.