Diffusion Coefficients of Gases in Excess of Air

Fick's first law states that a substance will flow from a region with high concentration to a region
of low concentration. Fick's law can be expressed as

J = -D*dφ/dx [1]

where

J = diffusion flux - the amount of substance that flows through an unit area per unit time [mass
or mol /(m2 s)]
D = diffusion coefficient [m2/s]
dφ = change in concentration of substance [mass or mol/m3]
dx = chenge in length [m]

For simple one-dimensional transport, the diffusion coefficient describes the time–rate of
change of concentration. The diffusion coefficient varies from substance to substance and with
temperature and pressure.

Figure and table below shows the diffusion coefficients, D12, for binary gas mixtures where air is
in large excess.

See also Air Composition and molecular weight, Density at varying pressure, Density and specific weight
at varying temperature, Diffusion coefficients for gases in air, Dynamic (absolute) and kinematic
viscosity, Prandtl Number, Specific heat at varying temperature and Specific heat at varying
pressure, Thermal conductivity, Thermal diffusivity, Properties at gas-liquid equilibrium conditions and Air
properties, for other properties of air, as well as Diffusion coefficients of gases in water and Carbon
dioxide concentrations in rooms with people
 Diffusion coefficient, D12, [cm2/s]
at atmospheric pressure and given temperatures
Gases in large excess of air

0 °C 20 °C 100 °C 200 °C 300 °C 400 °C

Name Formula 32 °F 68 °F 212 °F 392 °F 572 °F 752 °F

Argon Ar 0.167 0.189 0.289 0.437 0.612 0.81

Methane CH4 0.21 0.321 0.485 0.678 0.899

Carbon monoxide CO 0.208 0.315 0.475 0.662 0.875

Carbon dioxide CO2 0.16 0.252 0.39 0.549 0.728

Hydrogen H2 0.668 0.756 1.153 1.747 2.444 3.238

Water vapour H2O 0.219 0.242 0.399 0.638 0.873 1.135

 Diffusion coefficient, D12, [cm2/s]
at atmospheric pressure and given temperatures
Gases in large excess of air

0 °C 20 °C 100 °C 200 °C 300 °C 400 °C

Name Formula 32 °F 68 °F 212 °F 392 °F 572 °F 752 °F

Helium He 0.617 0.697 1.057 1.594 2.221 2.933

Sulfur hexafluoride SF6 0.15 0.233 0.329 0.438