Consider a portion of the lungs as a flat wall membrane where gas exchange occur
ID: 994053 • Letter: C
Question
Consider a portion of the lungs as a flat wall membrane where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen gas at 25 oC and 1.1 bar (partial pressure of O2) is present on air side of the membrane of 0.01 m thickness and 0.139 m2 area. The diffusion constant for Oxygen is 0.21*10-4 m2/sec. The solubility index of Oxygen through the alveolar membrane is S = 3.12 x103 kmol/m3-bar. The solubility index is defined as (C|O2/P|O2) where C|O2 is the concentration and P|O2 is the partial pressure of Oxygen. Determine the rate of mass diffusion of Oxygen from inhaled air to the lungs alveoli. Assume “zero” oxygen concentration present on the blood side of the alveolar membrane.
Explanation / Answer
Rate Of Mass Diffusion
= Partial Pressure * Area * Diffusion Constant * Solubility Index / Thickness
= 1.1 * (0.139m^2) * (0.21*10-4 m2/sec) * 3.12 x103 kmol/m3-bar / 0.01m
= 1.00*10^-6 Kmol / sec
= 1.00 * 10^-3 mol/sec
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