MODELING OF FLOW AND PARTICLE DYNAMICS HUMAN RESPIRATORY SYSTEM USING FLUID DYNAMICS

• Main Author: DANG , DANG DINH THANG
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/2794/1/Thesis.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/2794/
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Petronas

The aim of this research is to study numerically the flow characteristics and particle transport within a human respiratory system, including the human nasal cavity and the bifurcation. Various flow rates and particle sizes are main parameters varied in order to analyze the effects on particle movements and deposition on the human respiratory system. There are three main systems considered in this research: flow around a blockage in a channel, flow in the Final particle deposition with Stokes number, St = 0.12 for inlet flow rates of: (a) 30 L/min; (b) 60 L/min in human nasal cavity, and flow in the double bifurcation. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to solve gas-particle flow equations using a commercial software, FLUENT. Flow around a blockage in a channel was performed to gain confidence in the CFD model that has recirculation zone behind the block. The unsteady vortices flow around this blockage is investigated for Reynolds numbers, Re = 150, 300, 600, 900, and 1200 and Stokes numbers, St = 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 by solving momentum and particle model equations. A detailed airflow structures such as vortices, flow distribution are obtained. It was found that the particle distribution depends on vortical structures and Stokes number. A model of real human nasal cavity is reconstructed from computerized tomography (CT) scans. The flow structure is validated with experimental data for flowrates of 7.5 L/min (Re = 1500) and 15 L/min (Re = 3000). The total particle deposition in nasal cavity is also validated with experimental data using inertial parameter. Then the model is further investigated the effect of turbulence on particle deposition with flowrates of 20, 30 and 40 L/min. Deposition was found to increase with Stoke number for the same Reynolds number. vii Three-dimensional double bifurcations with coplanar configurations are employed to investigate the flow. Results of laminar flow (Re = 500, Re = 1036, and Re = 2000) are used to compare with experimental and numerical solution for validation. The model is further used to investigate the turbulent flow and particle deposition for heavy breathing with flowrates of 30 L/min (Re = 7300) and 60 L/min (Re = 14600). It was found that the deposition efficiency is dependent on Reynolds number and Stokes numbers. This research outcome will guide to improve the injection particle drugs to human lungs and to develop nasal mask to protect the lungs from hazardous particles.