Modeling water transport processes in dialysis

TL;DR

This paper reviews theoretical models and experimental methods for water and solute transport in dialysis, focusing on thermodynamic and kinetic approaches in biological and synthetic filters.

Contribution

It provides a concise overview of successful modeling approaches and experimental techniques for fluid and solute transport in dialysis systems.

Findings

Comparison of thermodynamic and kinetic models

Insights into hindered diffusion in fouled membranes

Summary of experimental methods in dialysis research

Abstract

Mathematical modeling is an important theoretical tool which provides researchers with quantification of the permeability of dialyzing systems in renal replacement therapy. In the paper we provide a short review of the most successful theoretical approaches and refer to the corresponding experimental methods studying these phenomena in both biological and synthetic filters in dialysis. Two levels of modeling of fluid and solute transport are considered in the review: thermodynamic and kinetic modeling of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. A brief account for hindered diffusion across cake layers formed due to membrane filters fouling is given, too.