Air flows through a wet pipe at \(298 \mathrm{~K}\) and 1 atm, and the diffusion coefficient of water vapor in air is \(2.5 \times 10^{-5} \mathrm{~m}^{2} / \mathrm{s}\). If the heat transfer coefficient is determined to be \(35 \mathrm{~W} / \mathrm{m}^{2} \cdot \mathrm{K}\), the mass transfer coefficient is (a) \(0.0326 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\) (b) \(0.0387 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\) (c) \(0.0517 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\) (d) \(0.0583 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\) (e) \(0.0707 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\)

The Chilton-Colburn analogy is a valuable principle when studying mass and heat transfer processes. In essence, it offers a way to relate the heat transfer coefficients to the mass transfer coefficients by using dimensionless numbers that describe the similar behaviors of momentum, heat, and mass transfer.

To apply the analogy, one would normally require an understanding of the Reynolds, Prandtl, and Schmidt numbers which relate to fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer respectively. However, under certain assumptions — like constant physical properties — these numbers may simplify the analogy, making it easier to directly relate the coefficients without comprehensive calculations.

In the given exercise, the heat transfer coefficient, which is usually difficult to determine, is provided. Thanks to the Chilton-Colburn analogy, this can be used to find the mass transfer coefficient simply by acknowledging that the dimensionless numbers are equal. This simplification is especially helpful in educational contexts to make the subject material more accessible to students without an extensive background in thermodynamics or fluid dynamics.

Understanding the dimensionless heat transfer coefficient is crucial for addressing problems related to the Chilton-Colburn analogy. In general, this coefficient is denoted as j_H and is used to normalize the heat transfer coefficient with relevant properties of the fluid and flow conditions.

In practice, j_H helps to compare the efficiency of heat transfer across different systems regardless of their scales, since the complexities of the physical characteristics and flow dynamics are captured within this non-dimensional form. This becomes particularly useful for engineers and scientists evaluating the performance of heat exchangers or trying to predict the heat transfer behavior in novel systems.

In the context of the problem solved, the dimensionless heat transfer coefficient helped to directly find the mass transfer coefficient (k_m), showcasing a practical application of theory to an engineering scenario. The cancellation of various properties in the Chilton-Colburn analogy further trimmed down the complexity of the required calculations.

The diffusion coefficient, often denoted as D_AB, is a parameter that describes how quickly a substance moves through a medium due to concentration gradients. In a gas like air, this coefficient tells us how fast a specific component, such as water vapor, diffuses in the mixture.

Diffusion coefficients are determined by the molecular properties and interactions between the substances involved. Moreover, they are sensitive to environmental conditions such as temperature and pressure. For gases, they can be estimated using empirical correlations or measured directly under controlled conditions.

In our exercise, D_AB for water vapor in air was given, which is a key piece of information needed to calculate the mass transfer coefficient using the Chilton-Colburn analogy. This showcases how values for physical properties are instrumental in solving applied engineering problems and highlights the importance of accurate data for such coefficients in analyzing and designing systems involving mass transfer.