A multi-component drop evaporation model based on analytical solution of Stefan–Maxwell equations

• A novel analytical model for multi-component drop evaporation is proposed.
• The model solves the Stefan–Maxwell equations under steady-state conditions.
• The model predictions are compared with the results from Fick’s law based models.
• The effect of non-isothermal conditions are considered in a simplified way.
• The Fick’s law based models generally under-predict the total evaporation rate.

A novel evaporation model for multi-component spherical drop has been developed by analytically solving the Stefan–Maxwell equations under spherical symmetry assumptions. The evaporation rate predicted by the new model is compared with the predictions obtained by previous models based on Fick’s law approximation, under steady-state isothermal conditions for a wide range of gas and drop temperatures and compositions. The effect of non-isothermal conditions are considered in a simplified way, through the effect of temperature on the reference value of gas density and mass diffusion coefficients. The Fick’s law based models are found to generally under-predict the total evaporation rate, particularly at higher evaporation rate conditions.