DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN OF A LIQUID MEMBRANE ENZYME REACTOR FOR THE DETOXIFICATION OF BLOOD

Abstract

Abstract Liver failure causes the enrichment of different lipophilic metabolites: phenol derivatives, mercaptans and short-chain fatty acids in blood. The removal of these toxines from blood is necessary to avoid death and to support the liver's self-regeneration. The liquid surfactant membrane technique with consecutive chemical reaction is used for this purpose. Liquid membranes were developed for the extraction of fatty acids. Enhancement of mass transfer is achieved by an instantaneous chemical reaction inside the emulsion globules, selectivity is obtained by using a suitable carrier. Essential fatty acids are not affected. Phenolic compounds are removed by extraction and consecutive enzymatic reaction inside the liquid membrane globules. This way of detoxification is identical with elimination in the living organism. Furthermore, a new model is being developed to describe the results of phenol extraction. This model makes possible the simulation of the detoxification process in the human organism. A flow sheet is proposed showing how to apply the liquid surfactant membrane technique to artificial liver support and the detoxification rate is calculated. Artificial liver Liquid membrane Blood detoxification