The time dependent mass transport of nanoparticles was studied in a patient specific model of the human lungs. The transport of the species was simulated via the convection diffusion equation under varying mass diffusivities, or more specifically Schmidt numbers (Sc). These were Sc=10, 100 and 500 representing small to larger particles respectively. From the results it was found that the realistic geometry plays an important role in the delivery of these particles to the lung wall, for example as the flow becomes more convection dominated the geometric variations have a greater impact on the resulting surface distribution. This was most notable in higher generations. In addition, the effects of Sc on particle concentration within the domain showed marked variation; with low Sc resulting in higher convection into the bulk fluid and higher Sc meant the mass transfer boundary layer was constricted to a thin region on the lung wall. Time dependent effects were observed to play a secondary role.     «

The time dependent mass transport of nanoparticles was studied in a patient specific model of the human lungs. The transport of the species was simulated via the convection diffusion equation under varying mass diffusivities, or more specifically Schmidt numbers (Sc). These were Sc=10, 100 and 500 representing small to larger particles respectively. From the results it was found that the realistic geometry plays an important role in the delivery of these particles to the lung wall, for example a...     »