Validity of Three-Dimensional Tortuous Pore Structure and Fouling of Hemoconcentration Capillary Membrane Using the Tortuous Pore Diffusion Model and Scanning Probe Microscopy

Hemoconcentration membranes used in cardiopulmonary bypass require a pore structure design with high pure water permeability, which does not allow excessive protein adsorption and useful protein loss. However, studies on hemoconcentration membranes have not been conducted yet. The purpose of this study was to analyze three-dimensional pore structures and protein fouling before and after blood contact with capillary membranes using the tortuous pore diffusion model and a scanning probe microscope system. We examined two commercially available capillary membranes of similar polymer composition that are successfully used in hemoconcentration clinically. Assuming the conditions of actual use in cardiopulmonary bypass, bovine blood was perfused inside the lumens of these membranes. Pure water permeability before and after bovine blood perfusion was measured using dead-end filtration. The scanning probe microscopy system was used for analysis. High-resolution three-dimensional pore structures on the inner surface of the membranes were observed before blood contact. On the other hand, many pore structures after blood contact could not be observed due to protein fouling. The pore diameters calculated by the tortuous pore diffusion model and scanning probe microscopy were mostly similar and could be validated reciprocally. Achievable pure water permeabilities showed no difference, despite protein fouling on the pore inlets (membrane surface). In addition, low values of albumin sieving coefficient are attributable to protein fouling that occurs on the membrane surface. Therefore, it is essential to design the membrane structure that provides the appropriate control of fouling. The characteristics of the hemoconcentration membranes examined in this study are suitable for clinical use.

Validity of Three-Dimensional Tortuous Pore Structure and Fouling of Hemoconcentration Capillary Membrane Using the Tortuous Pore Diffusion Model and Scanning Probe Microscopy

Hemoconcentration membranes used in cardiopulmonary bypass require a pore structure design with high pure water permeability, and which does not allow protein adsorption and useful protein loss. However, studies on hemoconcentration membranes have not been conducted yet. The purpose of this study was to analyze three-dimensional pore structures and protein fouling before and after blood contact with capillary membranes using the tortuous pore diffusion model and a scanning probe microscope system. We examined two commercially available capillary membranes of similar polymer composition that are successfully used in hemoconcentration clinically. Assuming the conditions of actual use in cardiopulmonary bypass, we perfused these membranes with bovine blood. Pure water permeability before and after bovine blood perfusion was measured using the dead-end filtration. The scanning probe microscopy system was used for analysis. High-resolution three-dimensional pore structures on the inner surface of the membranes were observed before blood contact. On the other hand, pore structures after blood contact could not be observed due to protein fouling. The pore diameters calculated by the tortuous pore diffusion model and scanning probe microscopy were mostly similar and could be validated reciprocally. Achievable pure water permeabilities showed no difference despite protein fouling, leading to low values of albumin SC. This is due to the mechanism that protein fouling occurs on the membrane surface, while there is little internal pore blocking. Therefore, controlling the fouling is essential for membranes in medical use. These characteristics of the hemoconcentration membranes examined in this study are suitable for clinical use.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modeling and Simulation of Flow Regulatory Mechanism in Artificial Kidney Using Finite Element Method

There is an enormous need in the health welfare sector to manufacture inexpensive dialyzer membranes with minimum dialysis duration. In order to optimize the dialysis cost and time, an in-depth analysis of the effect of dialyzer design and process parameters on toxins (ranging from tiny to large size molecules) clearance rate is required. Mathematical analysis and enhanced computational power of computers can translate the transport phenomena occurring inside the dialyzer while minimizing the development cost. In this paper, the steady-state mass transport in blood and dialysate compartment and across the membrane is investigated with convection-diffusion equations and tortuous pore diffusion model (TPDM), respectively. The two-dimensional, axisymmetric CFD model was simulated by using a solver based on the finite element method (COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4). The effect of design and process parameters is analyzed by solving model equations for varying values of design and process parameters. It is found that by introducing tortuosity in the pore diffusion model, the clearance rate of small size molecules increases, but the clearance rate of large size molecules is reduced. When the fiber aspect ratio (db/L) varies from 900 to 2300, the clearance rate increases 37.71% of its initial value. The results also show that when the pore diameter increases from 10 nm to 20 nm, the clearance rate of urea and glucose also increases by 2.09% and 7.93%, respectively, with tolerated transport of albumin molecules.

Adsorption and equilibrium studies of phenol and para-nitrophenol by magnetic activated carbon synthesised from cauliflower waste

In this study, waste cauliflower leaves were used for adsorbent preparation. The waste cauliflower leaves were converted into activated carbon by pyrolysis at two different temperatures 250˚C and 500˚C with magnetic property. The prepared adsorbents were denoted as CAC-250 and CAC-500 and characterized by the use of scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The adsorbents were applied for the removal of phenol and PNP from their aqueous solutions. The adsorption of phenol was found very less by the application CAC-250, whereas by the application of CAC-500 the adsorption of both phenol and PNP was enhanced. The maximum adsorption of phenol was found 99% and that of PNP was found ~100% using CAC-500, with initial adsorbate concentration 5 mg/L at 25˚C. The adsorption data was analysed with Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models and different kinetic models that are pseudo first order, pseudo second order, Elovich, intraparticle and pore diffusion model.

Penentuan Model Adsorpsi Metil Merah pada Karbon Aktif berbasis Torefaksi Arang Batubara

The Rate Determining Step (RDS) in adsorption proses plays a key role in order to understand the correct adsoption mechanism. In this experiment, a simple method used for distinguishing the RDS of liquid adsorption on solid adsorben was studied by an experiment based on Shrinking-Core Diffusion-based Model (SCM). RDS determination was done by comparing experimental data of two SCM Models: (1) Pore-Surface Model Diffusion (PSDM) and (2) Film-Pore Diffusion Model (FPDM). The adsorption of methylene blue by activated carbon obtained from Jatropha curcas L. was used as a case study. The result of experiment by three variated parameters: initial concentration (C0), pH, and type of adsorben shows that PSDM has more accuration compared to FPDM in representating the characterstic of mass transport of metil red adsorption on activated carbon.

Arsenic Resistance and Biosorption by Isolated Rhizobacteria from the Roots of Ludwigia octovalvis

Certain rhizobacteria can be applied to remove arsenic in the environment through bioremediation or phytoremediation. This study determines the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of arsenic on identified rhizobacteria that were isolated from the roots of Ludwigia octovalvis (Jacq.) Raven. The arsenic biosorption capability of the was also analyzed. Among the 10 isolated rhizobacteria, five were Gram-positive (Arthrobacter globiformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus, and Staphylococcus lentus), and five were Gram-negative (Enterobacter asburiae, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Pantoea spp., Rhizobium rhizogenes, and Rhizobium radiobacter). R. radiobacter showed the highest MIC of >1,500 mg/L of arsenic. All the rhizobacteria were capable of absorbing arsenic, and S. paucimobilis showed the highest arsenic biosorption capability (146.4 ± 23.4 mg/g dry cell weight). Kinetic rate analysis showed that B. cereus followed the pore diffusion model (R2 = 0.86), E. asburiae followed the pseudo-first-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.99), and R. rhizogenes followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.93). The identified rhizobacteria differ in their mechanism of arsenic biosorption, arsenic biosorption capability, and kinetic models in arsenic biosorption.

Dynamic Simulation of Heterogeneous Catalysis at Particle Scale to Estimate the Kinetic Parameters for the Pore Diffusion Model

In this work, dynamic simulation at particle scale is carried out to predict the kinetics of solid catalyzed esterification reaction between acetic acid and methanol to produce methyl acetate and water. The reaction kinetic data utilized for modeling and validation is with solid catalyst as Indion 180. It was observed that the reaction rate and kinetics inside the pores of the catalyst is of higher magnitude as compared to bulk liquid. Each solid catalyst particle is surrounded by reactant solution of equal volume. A dynamic simulation is carried out using COMSOL Multiphysics which has solver for diffusion-reaction equation for both in liquid phase and inside porous catalyst particle. The intrinsic reaction rate constants for bulk liquid phase and inside the particle are obtained by solving the full diffusion-reaction equation and optimization method. Three different models (model 1,2,3) were proposed for evaluating the rate constants from the experimental kinetic data. The three models differ in the way the boundary condition of acetic acid concentration is defined at the interface of a catalyst particle and its immediate surrounding liquid. The different models originated based on the possibility of numerical solution to partial differential equations pertaining to particle scale catalytic reactions as distributed parameter models by various software such as MATLAB and COMSOL multiphysics. They also differ in the way the initial kinetics is utilized in evaluating the rate constants for outside and inside the catalyst particle. One of the proposed models (model 3) has shown good agreement with the experimental data. Copyright © 2018 BCREC Group. All rights reservedReceived: 18th January 2018; Revised: 26th April 2018; Accepted: 8th May 2018How to Cite: Patan, A.K., Mekala, M., Thamida, S.K. (2018). Dynamic Simulation of Heterogeneous Catalysis at Particle Scale to Estimate the Kinetic Parameters for the Pore Diffusion Model. Bulletin of Chemical Reaction Engineering & Catalysis, 13 (3): 420-428 (doi:10.9767/bcrec.13.3.2098.420-428)Permalink/DOI: https://doi.org/10.9767/bcrec.13.3.2098.420-428