Simultaneous Convective and Diffusive Mass Transfers in a Hemodialyser

Abstract

The mass transfer in a hemodialyser in the presence of combined dialysis and ultrafiltration has been calculated by integration of mass fluxes across the boundary layers in blood and dialysate phase taking into account the partial rejection of solute as well as changes in local blood flow and ultrafiltration flux along the membrane. Clearances of creatinin, vitamin B12, and myoglobin have been calculated as a function of blood and ultrafiltrate flow rate and were found to be in good agreement with in vitro measurements. The data suggest the following empirical correlation for the hemodiafiltration clearance CL=CLD+0.46QF where QF is the ultrafiltration flow rate and CLD is the clearance at QF=0.