ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes the role and interactions of the polymers in solution based on Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and rheological responses. It discusses the syringe-in-syringe (SIS) assembly and process design for extrusion of hollow fibers. The chapter investigates the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation for the flow patterns in the SIS assembly undertaken to visualize the flow patterns evolving in them and whether the new design has any effect of the flow at the outlet of the assembly. The extrusion of hemodialysis grade fibers poses a great challenge due to the delicate balance between the polymer flow rates, the water flow rate, the rheology of the polymer solution, along with the flow pattern of the fluids in the thin flow conduit. FTIR analysis was carried out to study the interpolymeric interactions in the blend solution. The rheological behavior of the polymer solutions was measured to find the physical manifestations of the interactions occurring in the solution state.
