Gas Uptake in a Three-Generation Model Geometry During Steady Expiration: Comparison of Axisymmetric and Three-Dimensional Models

Abstract

Mass transfer coefficients were predicted and compared for uptake of a formaldehyde–air gas system using an axisymmetric single path model (ASPM) and a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model (CFDM) in three-generation model geometry at steady expiratory flow. The flow and concentration fields in the ASPM were solved using Galerkin's finite-element method and in the CFDM using a commercial finite-element software, FIDAP. Numerical results were compared for two different inlet flow rates, wall mass transfer coefficients, and bifurcation angles. The mass transfer coefficients variation with bifurcation unit from the ASPM and CFDM compared qualitatively and quantitatively closely at all flows and lower wall mass transfer coefficients for both 40° and 70° bifurcation angles. However, at higher wall mass transfer coefficients, quantitatively they were within 40% for both the bifurcation angles. Also, at higher flow and wall mass transfer coefficients, they were off qualitatively for a 70° bifurcation angle although the uptake compared qualitatively. This is due to the normalization of uptake within a bifurcation unit with the average of inlet and outlet average concentrations. Both CFDM and ASPM predict the same trends of increase in mass transfer coefficients with inlet flow and wall mass transfer coefficients. Also, the local values of the mass transfer coefficients compared closely at all conditions. These results validate the simplified ASPM and the complex CFDM. Mass transfer coefficients increase with bifurcation angles and with a flat inlet velocity profile compared to a parabolic velocity profile since the flow is non-fully developed and hence, the uptake increases.