3D reconstruction and numerical simulation of airflow characteristics in realistic human nasal channel

In order to research the airflow and particle deposition inside a nasal channel, a real three-dimensional geometry of human nasal channel is rebuilt with a direct deal with original spiral CT (computer tomography) respiratory tract images scanned from a voluntary healthy 19-years old boy and with image recognition technology such as finite element method and reverse engineering. Based on the rebuilt geometric model, RNG k-Ε model and finite volume method is used to simulate and analyze the gas flow at three different respiratory rate as Q = 15 L/min, Q = 30 L/min and Q = 60 L/min. The pressure and airflow velocity during inspiration and exhalation inside the nasal channel at different airflow rates is computed and discussed. The particle is tracked and analyzed in a Lagrangian frame. The trapping of particles with a diameter of 3 μm on the wall surfaces is monitored. The numerical simulation can help study the characters of airflow in the nasal channel and aerosol therapy.