Measurement of Binary Diffusion Coefficients for Neon–Argon Gas Mixtures Using a Loschmidt Cell Combined with Holographic Interferometry

Abstract

The paper reports on experimental binary diffusion coefficient data of neon–argon gas mixtures. Measurements were performed in the temperature range between 293.15 K and 333.15 K and for pressures between 1 bar and 10 bar over almost the whole composition range using a Loschmidt diffusion cell combined with holographic interferometry. The thermostated Loschmidt cell is divided into two half-cells, which can be separated and connected by a sliding plate. Prior to the measurements, two different pure gases are filled into the two half-cells. After starting the diffusion process, the temporal change of the partial molar densities, or rather of the refractive index of the gases, is detected in both half-cells using two holographic interferometers. With this apparatus, the temperature, pressure, and concentration dependence of the binary diffusion coefficient can be determined. The relative uncertainty of a diffusion measurement is between 0.4 % and 1.4 % depending on the pressure. The experimental data are compared with data from the literature and with new theoretical data based on quantum-mechanical ab initio calculations combined with the kinetic theory of gases. Due to a systematic error, the concentration dependence determined in the upper half-cell shows deviations from the theoretical values and from most of the literature data. The concentration, temperature, and pressure dependence obtained from the data from the lower half-cell, however, are in very good agreement with available data. The product of the binary gas diffusion coefficient and the molar density of the gas mixture shows no significant dependence on pressure for the studied neon–argon noble gas system.