Application of the time-fractional diffusion equation to methyl alcohol mass transfer in silica

Abstract

Non-usual behavior of methyl alcohol mass transfer in mesoporous silica is experimentally and theoretically investigated. Analysis of the experimental data in terms of the second Fick’s law and accounting of various pore geometries demonstrates no correspondence between the experimental data and theoretical solutions. We show that contrary to standard diffusion approach the experimental data are in an excellent coincidence with the solution of the time-fractional diffusion equation, obtained for boundary conditions that correspond to the experimental conditions. Obtained results reveal that methyl alcohol in mesoporous silica may exhibit anomalous features because of geometrical constraints of silica pores.