A model describing the sieving and transmembrane pressure behavior of
plasma filtration is developed and numerically simulated. The model as
sumes a mechanistic criteria for particle passage through a membrane w
ith cylindrical pores. The initial pore diameter distribution and poro
sity are assumed to be known. Model inputs include the particle diamet
er distribution, concentration and total flow rate of the permeate pla
sma solution. Outputs of the model include transmembrane pressure, the
time-averaged sieving coefficients, and size distributions of the dep
osited particles and accumulated filtrate particles. Optimal filtratio
n is characterized by high, stable sieving coefficients for desired pa
rticles, high retention of larger particles and relatively small incre
ases in transmembrane pressure. These characteristics are realized for
membranes with mean pore diameters equal to or slightly larger than m
ean permeate particle diameters. Simulations demonstrate that the inco
rporation of membrane properties into models of plasma filtration is b
oth significant and readily possible. (C) 1998 IPEM. Published by Else
vier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.