Numerical simulation of particle deposition in obstructive human airways

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.