Flow and particle deposition using an integrated CFD model of the respiratory system

Abstract

In the present study a theoretical investigation on flow, particle motion, and deposition in the respiratory system is reported. An integrated computational model of the respiratory system is developed comprised of nine sequential computational blocks corresponding to the nasal cavity, the pharyngo-trachea, and a series of branches of the pulmonary system. Airflow during steady-state inhalation inside the human respiratory system was determined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for inlet velocities, vin = 1-20 m/s, corresponding to inhalation flow rates of 9 to 180 L/min, and particle deposition was examined in detail for particle sizes, D=1-20μm. Local deposition efficiencies as well as spatial distribution of deposited particles were found to be strongly dependent on the particle size and volumetric flow rate.