Laser interferometric investigation of solute transport through membrane-concentration boundary layer system

Abstract

We investigate diffusive transport in a membrane system with a horizontally mounted membrane under concentration polarization conditions performed by a laser interferometry method. The data obtained from two different theoretical models are compared to the experimental results of the substance flux. In the first model, the membrane is considered as infinitely thin, while in the second one as a wall of finite thickness. The theoretical calculations show sufficient correspondence with the experimental results. On the basis of interferometric measurements, the relative permeability coefficient (ζs) for the system, consisting of the membrane and concentration boundary layers, was also obtained. This coefficient reflects the concentration polarization of the membrane system. The obtained results indicate that the coefficient ζs of the membrane-concentration boundary layer system decreases in time and seems to be independent of the initial concentration of the solute.

The mathematical model of concentration polarization coefficient in membrane transport and volume flows

“…( 22 ), it is easy to calculate the spatial formula ζ s = f ( R C , J vm ), allowing the evaluation of the numerical relations between the concentration polarization coefficient ( ζ s ), the osmotic flux ( J vm ) and the concentration Rayleigh number ( R C ). The results of the research carried out confirmed the significant role of concentration boundary layers in osmotic and diffusive transport, in particular their applicative aspect in technology and medicine, as mentioned in the Introduction [ 5 , 32 – 34 ]. The obtained results of the test are also significant for micro-gravitation conditions under which membrane transport and transport in areas near the membrane are of non-linear diffusive character.…”

“…The obtained results of the test are also significant for micro-gravitation conditions under which membrane transport and transport in areas near the membrane are of non-linear diffusive character. Under such conditions, by suppressing natural convection and/or by suppressing sedimentation, the character of the transport of oxygen and nutrients may change, thereby causing metabolism disorders [ 5 , 31 , 33 ].…”

“…Cognitive and applicative research in membrane transport is carried out in different fields of science, technology, and medicine [ 1 – 4 ]. The possibility of the application of membranes depends on their structure, physicochemical properties, and transport properties [ 2 , 5 ]. To interpret membrane transport, models provided under non-equilibrium thermodynamics [ 6 , 7 ] and network thermodynamics [ 8 , 9 ] are the most frequently used instruments.…”

A proposed integrated approach for the preclinical evaluation of phage therapy in Pseudomonas infections

“…Nephrophane (VEB Filmfabrik, Wolfen, Germany) is a microporous, highly hydrophilic membrane made from cellulose acetate ([trio-acetate cel-(OCO-CH 3 )n]) of a spongy structure4068. The analysis of biofilm degradation by intact and UV-inactivated phages was performed by microbiological methods as well as biophysical techniques.…”