Insight into the transport mechanism of solute removed in dialysis by a membrane with double functionality

• Published in: Chemical engineering research & design Vol. 126; pp. 97 - 108
• Main Authors: Snisarenko, D., Pavlenko, D., Stamatialis, D., Aimar, P., Causserand, C., Bacchin, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rugby Elsevier B.V 01.10.2017; Elsevier Science Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: Absorptivity; Adsorption; Adsorptivity; Blood toxins removal; Chemical and Process Engineering; Chemical engineering; Chemical Sciences; Dialysis; Diffusion; Double-layer membrane; Engineering Sciences; Hemodialysis; Mathematical model; Mathematical models; Optimization; Parameters; Studies; Transport; Double-layer membrane; Blood toxins removal; Mathematical model; Hemodialysis
• ISSN: 0263-8762; 1744-3563
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2017.08.017

[Display omitted] •A model of solute transfer through a functionalized membrane is developed.•The model demonstrates the solute concentration profile across the membrane.•The model quantifies the transfer improvement induced by the adsorption layer inside the membrane.•The developed model is validated by comparison with experimental results. The present study aims at shedding light on the transport mechanisms involved in a functionalized membrane designed for improving hemodialysis. This membrane is prepared by embedding absorptive micro particles within its porous structure. To understand the transport mechanism through the membrane and make suggestions for its optimization, a mathematical model coupling convection, diffusion and adsorption is developed and validated by comparison of experimental and theoretical results. In fact, the model provides a description of the concentration profile from the donor (feed) compartment across the several layers with different properties to the acceptor (dialysate) compartment. In addition, the model allows to predict the influence of various parameters such as molecule diffusivity, membrane thickness, presence of convection, content of adsorptive particles on the flux intensification across the membrane. Comparison with experimental measurements demonstrates that the model is able to describe the transmembrane mass flux variation over time as a function of hydrodynamic conditions and membrane/module geometric parameters. The model also illustrates how the proposed double-layer membrane concept offers significant benefits in terms of toxin removal in comparison to conventional dialysis. As so, the main achievement of the developed model is that it may serve as tool for the further improvement of functionalized membrane in terms of toxin removal and optimization of process conditions.