Entropy generation in the human lung due to effect of psychrometric condition and friction in the respiratory tract

Abstract

Background and Objective: Entropy generation is associated with the irreversibility of any thermodynamic system. It provides an indication of lost energy and hence the efficiency of a system. In this paper, an attempt has been made to study the effects of specific humidity, relative humidity, ambient temperature change, breathing air friction with the respiratory tract on the entropy generation during the respiration process at different physiological conditions.Methods: To address the above issues, a human respiratory tract model with realistic length to diameter ratio at different branches has been considered. The analysis examines air flow rates of 6 lpm and 60 lpm during rest and exercise condition respectively; corresponding to breathing rates of 30 and 60 per minute, respectively. The body temperature has been considered at 36°C, and ambient condition of air has been taken at 25°C DBT and 50% RH. The respiratory tract geometry has been modelled on the basis of Weibel's experimental results.Results: It has been noticed that, at a particular Lewis number entropy generation per day decreases with the increase in specific humidity, again at a particular specific humidity entropy generation increases with the decrease in Lewis number. For a particular physical condition and Lewis number entropy generation decreases with the increase in relative humidity. In this work, it has been observed that negentropy increases with the increase in ambient temperature for a constant relative humidity, however the net entropy generation is always positive. This study reports that, maximum resistance of flow occurs where duct aspect ratio (i.e. tract diameter to length) is minimal. For a typical geometry of air passage, velocity of flow increases up to 3rd generation then it is decreases gradually till 23rd generation. Amount of entropy generation goes on reducing as the duct goes on bifurcating except for the third generation where a local peak in entropy generation is observed. This is a consequence of typical geometry of human respiratory duct. This work reveals that, at rest entropy generation due to conditioning of breathing air is higher than its frictional component and during heavy physical activity, entropy generation due to breathing air friction with the respiratory tract is higher than its air conditioning component.Conclusions: Entropy generation is significantly higher due to conditioning of breathing air than that of frictional effect with the tract. This is a preliminary attempt in quantifying this aspect and the authors believe that, these two components of entropy generation have a probable connection with the bronchial thermoplasty, which helps to treat the asthma.