Topical Problems of Fluid Mechanics


Institute of Thermomechanics AS CR, v.v.i.	CTU in Prague Faculty of Mech. Engineering Dept. Tech. Mathematics	MIO Université du Sud Toulon Var - AMU - CNRS - IRD	Czech Pilot centre ERCOFTAC

Numerical Study of the Steady Airflow in the Human Respiratory System During Inhaling and Exhaling
Lancmanová A., Bodnár T.
Abstract:
This paper presents some of the initial results of the numerical simulations of a steady turbulent flow in human upper airways during inhalation and exhalation. The mathematical model is based on the system of Reynolds-Averaged incompressible Navier-Stokes equations complemented by the SST k − ω turbulence model. The simulations were performed using finite-volume open source solver OpenFOAM on a realistic three-dimensional geometry. The main aim of this particular study is to verify the computational setup with special focus on appropriate choice and implementation of boundary conditions. The prescribed boundary conditions are chosen to mimic the physiological conditions during normal breathing cycle. This study aims to gain an insight into the airflow behavior during the inhalation and exhalation process by comparing the results of two distinct simulations corresponding to two different (opposite) flow rates . The obtained local flow rates and flow fields for both cases are presented and mutually compared. This initial work should serve as a foundation for future more complex simulations that will include the time-dependent and compressible effects.
Keywords:
human airways, incompressible Navier-Stokes, OpenFOAM, SST k − ω model

Fulltext: PDF DOI: https://doi.org/10.14311/TPFM.2024.017

In Proceedings Topical Problems of Fluid Mechanics 2024, Prague, 2024, Edited by David Šimurda and Tomáš Bodnár, pp. 124 ISBN 978-80-87012-88-8 (Print) ISSN 2336-5781 (Print)