Simulation of Mass Transfer and Nano-Particle Deposition in a Human Airway

Considering a human upper airway model, or equivalently complex internal flow conduits, the transport and deposition of nano-particles in the 1–100 nm diameter range are simulated and analyzed for cyclic and steady flow conditions. Many researches often calculated the deposition fraction in the upper airway, but they do not frequently investigate the Sherwood number for inhalation. This study focuses on evaluating the injury taking place in the upper human respiratory tract, based on level of exposure to hot gases. This study uses the Sherwood number to evaluate the mass transfers in inhalation. To this end, we reconstructed a two dimension model of upper and lower airway from the mouth to trachea and used the low-Reynolds-number (LRN) k–ω turbulence equation to simulate the mass transfer. The finite element method is used to solve the low-Reynolds-number (LRN) k–ω turbulence equation. The model developed for the simultaneous mouth breathing during the inspiration phase with volumetric flow rates of 10 and 50 L/min. The results of simulation show that the Sherwood number in inhalation increases with increasing the Reynolds number. The concentration profiles help to assess the level of damage created in the upper and lower airway and appropriate treatment for the damage.

کلیدواژه ها:

Upper and lower airway ، profile ، Sherwood number ، nano-particle