Further Studies on the Realization of a Cold Carbon Portable Artificial Kidney

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Abstract
Optimal conditions were determined for the realization of a closed-loop, cold C, portable artificial kidney to depurate the dialysate of urea and other catabolites. A dialysate flow rate of about 250 ml/min represents an optimal compromise between urea mass transfer through the dialytic membrane and its mass adsorption on cold carbon. Under this condition, the use of a 2-kg C column to remove urea is satisfactory for a routine dialysis treatment. Experiments were performed on simulated dialysis. A portable cold C artificial kidney requires a cooling unit and a heat exchanger to recover the power necessary to produce the 0.degree. C temperature. A flat heat exchanger, consisting of 3 superposed plates, with a heat exchange surface of about 0.09 m2 and a total coefficient of thermal exchange, Ht, of 380 Kcal/m2-.degree. C-hour was chosen. With heat recovery, the cooling power required is 1/3 hp to allow for parasitic cold losses and the power necessary to reach a steady state. All mechanical parts necessary for heating and cooling weigh about 12 kg.

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