A laboratory-scale bioartificial liver consists of a small cylindrical tube 8 cm in length. A single layer of hepatocytes lines the interior surface of the tube giving an internal diameter of the tube...

A laboratory-scale bioartificial liver consists of a small cylindrical tube 8 cm in length. A single layer of hepatocytes lines the interior surface of the tube giving an internal diameter of the tube lumen of 0.02 cm. Nutrient media enters this tube at a flow rate of 0.10 cm3 min−1 at 37°C with an oxygen concentration of 0.225 μmol cm−3. Assuming the hepatocytes consume oxygen at a very fast rate, estimate the oxygen concentration in the nutrient media that leaves the tube. Assume the physical properties of the nutrient media are essentially the same as water, i.e., the density of the nutrient media is 1 g cm−3 and the viscosity is 0.69 cP.