In the transfer of oxygen from air to blood in an oxygenator

In the transfer of oxygen from air to blood in an oxygenator, the mass transfer can be described as a series of resistances – in air, in the membrane and in blood. Which of these resistances are important and why? Suggest ways in which you can improve mass transfer by decreasing one or more of these resistances?

Solution

Resistances in air and membrane are negligible.so resistance in blood consider to be important. Transfer of oxygen from air into blood takes place by gas diffusion. Thus increase in diffusion rate results increase in transfer rate. Rate if diffusion increased by increasing partial pressure between air and blood or increasing in surface area of diffusion.and by decreasing distance through which gas diffusion takes place.