Final answer:
The calculation of diffusion fluxes for O2 and N2 through a porous medium is an application of Graham's law of effusion in the field of chemistry, taking into account factors such as pore size, porosity, tortuosity, and mole fractions of the gases.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the estimation of diffusion fluxes of oxygen (O2) and nitrogen (N2) through a porous medium, which is a typical problem in physical chemistry, more specifically in the area of gas diffusion and effusion. According to Graham's law of effusion, the rate of effusion of a gas through a porous material is inversely proportional to the square root of its molar mass. To estimate the diffusion fluxes in the given scenario, one would have to apply this law, taking into account Graham's law, the porosity, tortuosity, pore diameter, the total pressure, the temperature, and the mole fractions of both components.
To perform such a calculation, additional formulas and data regarding the specific interactions between the gases and the porous medium might be necessary, but the basic process would involve calculating the diffusion rates for each gas based on their molar masses and the given conditions, and then adjusting for the mole fractions on either side of the porcelain.