Dialysis:

Dialysis is a membrane process in which a microsolute permeates across a membrane as a result of concentration gradient from a given feed solution to another receiving solution with a common solvent. The microsolutes permeate across the membrane faster than the macrosolutes that are also present within the solution. The pore size of the membranes is chosen in such a way to block the passage of macrosolutes. The pore sizes of membranes used in dialysis typically ranges from around 20 Å to 60 Å or so. Generally, the fluid phase from that the microsolutes are removed is designated as feed phase while the fluid phase that receives the microsolutes is designated as dialysate. The most general application of dialysis procedure is the purification of blood to decrease the toxic end products of metabolism in a patient whose kidneys have failed. It is the single biggest application of dialysis procedure and is called as hemodialysis or artificial kidney.