OPTIMAL DESIGN OF DIALtZERS CONSIDERING BLOOD-SIDE FILM RESISTANOE

Abstract

Highly permeable (HP) membranes have higher solute permeabilities than conventional ones. Contribution of blood- and dialysate-side mass transfer resistances to solute removal performance is more increased in HP dialyzers than conventional ones. To reduce blood- and dialysate-side mass transfer resistances effectively increases solute removal performance especially of HP dialyzers. This paper describes the technical design of dialyzers with being reduced blood-side mass transfer resistance. Dialyzers consisting of hollow-fiber membranes of 19.4cm in length was superior in solute removal perormance to dialyzers consisting of hollow-fiber membranes of 23.5cm in length. Overall mass transfer coefficient and blood-side mass transfer coefficient were independent of blood-side flow rate. Overall mass transfer coefficient was independent of inner diameter of hollow fibers.