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Numerical simulation of particle deposition in obstructive human airways

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Abstract

To investigate airflow pattern and its impact on particle deposition, finite-volume based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted in the diseased triple-bifurcation airways. Computations were carried out for twenty Reynolds numbers ranging from 100 to 2 000 in the step of 100. Particles in the size range of 1–10 μm were conducted. Two particle deposition mechanisms (gravitational sedimentation and inertial impaction) were considered. The results indicate that there are strong relationship between airflow structures and particle deposition patterns. Deposition efficiency is different for different particles in the whole range of the respiratory rates. Particles in different sizes can deposit at different sites. Smaller particles can be uniformly deposited at the inside wall of the considered model. Larger particles can be mainly deposited in the proximal bifurcations. Deposition fraction varies a lot for different inlet Reynolds numbers. For lower Reynolds numbers, deposition fraction is relatively small and varies a little with varying the diameters. For higher Reynolds numbers, there is a most efficient diameter for each Reynolds number to target the aerosols at the specific site.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, China

    Cui-yun Ou  (欧翠云), Qi-hong Deng  (邓启红) & Wei-wei Liu  (刘蔚巍)

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  1. Cui-yun Ou  (欧翠云)
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  2. Qi-hong Deng  (邓启红)
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  3. Wei-wei Liu  (刘蔚巍)
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Correspondence to Qi-hong Deng  (邓启红).

Additional information

Foundation item: Project(51178466) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project(200545) supported by the Foundation for the Author of National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of China; Project(2011JQ006) supported by the Fundamental Research Funds of the Central Universities of China

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Ou, Cy., Deng, Qh. & Liu, Ww. Numerical simulation of particle deposition in obstructive human airways. J. Cent. South Univ. Technol. 19, 609–614 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-012-1046-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-012-1046-x

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