The flow characteristics in the artificial kidney were analyzed with residence time distribution. The flow distribution in the blood side and the dialysate side were analyzed with 3 parameters- and 4 parameters model respectively. The results of the analysis were examined with the measurement of clearance.
The artificial kidney was constructed with Enka Cl mat Cuprophane ® hollow fiber membrane and acryl case. The artificial kidney was potted with polyurethane by centrifugation. RTD was obtained by measuring spectrophotometrically concentration of blue dextran imposed as impulse input.
The optimum design of manifold were as follows; for rectangular head 2mm was optimum for the height and for triangular head 4mm was optimum. The clearance increases with the ratio of length to diameter of the bundle. The optimum packing density was 33%. The new type of artificial kidney which was built by installing an inert core in the center with the triangular tip gave better performance in clearance as well as in the RTD tests.
