Mass transfer coefficient in single phase flow around short cylinder, has been studied experimentally using adsorption method. Experiments were conducted in "two-dimensional" column 140 x 10 x 200 mm. The mass transfer data were obtained by studying transfer for flow past single cylinder, 30 mm in diameter. This paper, also, discusses the possibilities of application of the adsorption method for fluid flow visualization. Local and average mass transfer coefficients were determined from color intensity on the surface of foils of silica gel. Experimental correlations for Sh = f (Re) and j(D) = f (Re) were established using mass transfer coefficients data. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.