Influence of Vortex Evolution in Human Mouth and Throat to the Diffusion of Virus Aerosol

Abstract

Revealing the influential action of vortex evolution in human upper respiratory tract on diffusion of virus aerosol has great significance for the prevention and treatment of respiratory tract diseases. Large eddy simulation was used to simulate the vortex structure and the diffusion of virus aerosol in human mouth-throat model in cyclic respiratory pattern, and the vortex evolution in mouth-throat model with the trajectories of aerosol particles was discussed in this paper. The results show that the trajectories of virus aerosol particles congregate in regions with higher airflow vorticity affected by the vortex evolution in mouth-throat model. Due to the joint influence of transverse and longitudinal vortex, the helicoidal trajectories combined annular and wavy trajectories of aerosol particles appear in the model. This study disclosed the relationship between the vortex evolution and the diffusion of aerosol in human mouth and throat from the microcosmic angle, which provides a new way for deepening understanding of the propagating characteristics of virus aerosol in human upper respiratory tract.