Flow and filtration imaging of single use sterile membrane filters

TL;DR

This study uses magnetic resonance imaging to analyze the detailed 3D flow distribution and flux evolution in sterile membrane filters, providing insights for improved design and application in dialysis and filtration processes.

Contribution

It introduces the use of flow-MRI to visualize and quantify local flow and flux dynamics in single-use sterile membrane modules, including cake layer development and flow redistribution.

Findings

Flow-MRI reveals detailed 3D flow distribution in membrane modules.

Quantification of cake layer growth and its impact on flow.

Time evolution of permeate flux distribution is characterized.

Abstract

Sterile filters incorporating endotoxin adsorption function emerged recently to pretreat dialysate liquids fed to a hemodialysis filtration process. Their application significantly enhances the survival rate during dialysis treatment as they function as sterile filters as well as an endotoxin adsorber. Little is known about the fluid flow distribution in such single use membrane modules. We report a detailed analysis of the local 3D flow field distribution in such membrane modules using magnetic resonance flow imaging. Next to pure water filtration representing the application case of endotoxin adsorption from an already pure liquid, we also used the module as a filtration device rejecting for instance colloidal silica. Such experiments performed in-situ allow the quantification of cake layer development and its concomitant redistribution of the flow field. Particularly novel is the quantification of the time evolution of local permeate flux distribution. These detailed insights of this study encourage the use of flow-MRI when designing and applying new membrane module configurations.