Theoretical assessment of the effect of flow maldistributions on the mass transfer efficiency of artificial organs

A theoretical formula for assessing numerically the extraction ratio of any lineal transport device, applicable in the presence of any type of parallel flow maldistributions, is presented. Two examples of maldistribution, continuous and discrete, are described and calculations are made of their effect on extraction ratio for two general cases and a range of parameters of interest in haemodialysis. Under favourable circumstances surprisingly large amounts of maldistribution may be tolerated.