Diffusional Transport of Atomic Hydrogen through Molecular Hydrogen at Elevated Temperatures

Abstract

Changes in the transport properties of a gas mixture of atomic and molecular hydrogen were measured in a temperature range from 300° to 700°K. The steady‐state distribution of atoms diffusing from a source towards a catalytically active surface was determined in a cylinder of finite length. The experimental parameter of interest is the diffusion Reynolds number which contains the ratio of interdiffusion coefficient to recombination coefficient. If the catalytic activity of the surface is known, one may relate the atom‐concentration gradient to the diffusion coefficient. In the temperature region studied the change in the binary diffusion coefficient for the system H, H₂ was evaluated. Based on the results obtained, the intermolecular force fields applicable to the atom‐molecule encounters were examined.