This work aims to explore the applicability of electrical resistance tomography (ERT) in the analysis of fluid distribution in haemodialysis modules, which is not straightforward due to the complex geometry of the hollow fibre bundles and the small sizes of the modules. On the other hand, ERT is potentially a suitable and convenient technique for investigation in this field due to its cost‐effectiveness and capacity to perform measurements in opaque systems. After a preliminary estimation of the fibre bundle local distribution, the assessment of the technique is performed by observing the time evolution of the measured conductivity maps during the module filling and emptying operations with water and air, which are alternatively fed inside or outside the fibre bundle. Reliable conductivity maps are obtained by placing the module vertically or horizontally. Additional experimental data collected by feeding liquid mixtures of different sodium chloride concentrations show that the technique is suitable for detecting concentration variations, due to the mass transfer through the fibres, and flow maldistribution, due to the specific geometry of the module. From the preliminary results collected in this work, the technique appears to be adequate for the collection of data that can support the optimization of the module geometry and computational model validation.

中文翻译：

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电阻层析成像技术在血液透析模块中流体分布分析中的适用性

这项工作旨在探索电阻层析成像（ERT）在血液透析模块中流体分布分析中的适用性，由于中空纤维束的复杂几何形状和模块的小尺寸，这种方法并不简单。另一方面，由于ERT的成本效益和在不透明系统中执行测量的能力，因此它可能是在该领域进行研究的合适且方便的技术。在初步估计了纤维束局部分布之后，通过观察在水和空气填充和排空模块期间测得的电导率图随时间变化的技术来评估该技术，水和空气交替地馈入到纤维束的内部或外部。通过垂直或水平放置模块可获得可靠的电导率图。通过供给不同氯化钠浓度的液体混合物收集的其他实验数据表明，由于模块的特定几何形状，由于通过纤维的质量转移和流量分布不均，该技术适用于检测浓度变化。从这项工作中收集到的初步结果来看，该技术似乎足以收集可以支持模块几何优化和计算模型验证的数据。和流量分布不均，这取决于模块的特定几何形状。从这项工作中收集的初步结果来看，该技术似乎足以收集可以支持模块几何结构优化和计算模型验证的数据。和流量分布不均，这取决于模块的特定几何形状。从这项工作中收集的初步结果来看，该技术似乎足以收集可以支持模块几何结构优化和计算模型验证的数据。