Hansen A Mansy
University of Central Florida, USA
Title: Numerical model of inspiratory flow in an animal lung airway tree
Biography
Biography: Hansen A Mansy
Abstract
Numerical modeling of inspiratory flow in a multi generation pig lung airways was performed for a constant flow rate of 19.2
liter/min (Reynolds number=1150 in the trachea). To validate the model, velocity distributions were compared with previous
measurements and simulations in simplified airway geometries. Simulation provided the distribution of flow velocities in the axial
direction as well as secondary flow patterns. The absolute helicity values were used to visualize vortex core regions in the airways.
This analysis suggested the presence of secondary flow vortices in many bifurcations. The observed flow patterns in the pig airways
were found to vary from that of simplified bifurcation airway models. Results of the flow simulations showed that secondary and axial
flows were comparable in the laminar and turbulent cases. Turbulent kinetic energy in the smaller airways tended to be close to zero
suggesting approaching laminar flow conditions.