A new method for removing permeable cryoprotective agents (CPAs) from cryopreserved blood with hollow fiber modules is presented and simulated theoretically, and CPA concentration variation and cell volume response during the removal process are investigated in detail. Then, the comparison between the results from this paper and the ones from traditional methods is carried out, which shows the advantage of this new method in decreasing maximal cell volume and shortening washing time. Lastly, the effects of hydraulic and solute permeabilities of hollow fibers and flow rates of washing solution and cell suspension on maximal cell volume and washing time is studied. The result reveals that by means of adjusting the above controllable parameters properly, it is convenient for this method to decrease osmotic damage of cells and increase clearance efficiency of CPAs in practice. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.