Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Behavior of submicrometer particles in periodic alveolar airflows

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Here, we report a numerical experiment in which submicrometer particle entrainment in a periodic flow that matches those existing in the alveolus in the human lung was simulated for both sedentary and light activity. A spherical cavity with a prescribed velocity profile at the inlet was used to simulate the time-dependent periodical flow of air in the alveolus. Expansion and contraction of the alveolus were simulated by setting a conceptual permeable wall as the outer surface of the model and adjusting the boundary conditions in order to match the continuity of the flow. The simulations were conducted for breathing periods of 5 and 3 s, which match sedentary and light activity conditions, respectively, and the results were extrapolated to the real lung. It was found that, most of the particles mainly followed a straightforward path and reached the opposite side of the alveolar wall in both breathing conditions. The concentration patterns obtained are consistent with the fact that the flow within the alveolus is mainly diffusive and does not greatly depend on the flow velocity. It was found that the particles which are heavier than air move out of phase with the periodic airflow that crosses the alveolus entrance, and that these particles are significantly caught within the alveolus. Particle entrapment increases with breathing rate in accordance with experimental values and indicates that increase in breathing frequency in environments with high concentration of submicrometer particles has the consequence of increasing particle entrapment by several times with respect to normal breathing rate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

d 0 :

alveolar entrance diameter (mm)

D t :

trachea diameter (cm)

f :

mass fraction of the particles

M :

volume averaged of mass fraction the particles

M 0 :

initial value of the volume averaged of mass fraction the particles

N :

total number of alveoli within the lungs

r o :

alveolar entrance radius (mm)

r :

radial distance (mm)

R :

alveolar radius (mm)

T :

period (s)

t :

time (s)

t 1 :

the time when the penetration of air is maximum, during inhalation (s)

v :

velocity (mm/s)

v 0 :

velocity amplitude (mm/s)

V :

volume (m3)

References

  • Aydin M, Miguel AF, Aydin ED, Reis AH (2003) Numerical simulation of flow in branched geometries by boundary element method. In: Proc. Int. Exergy, Energy and Environment Symposium, Izmir, Turkey, pp 119–122

  • Aydin M, Balik G, Reis AH, Miguel AF (2004) Convective and diffusive flows in a rhythmically expanding alveolus. In: Reis AH, Miguel AF (eds) Applications of porous media. CGE, Evora, pp 491–495

    Google Scholar 

  • Bejan A (2000) Shape and structure, from engineering to nature. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Bejan A (2007) Advanced engineering thermodynamics, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Bejan A, Dincer I, Lorente S, Miguel AF, Reis AH (2004) Porous and complex flow structures in modern technologies. Springer, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Berico M, Luciani M, Formignani M (1997) Atmospheric aerosol in an urban area—measurements of TSP and PM10 standards and pulmonary deposition assessments. Atmos Environ 31:3659–3665

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blazka ME, Tepper JS, Dixon D, Winsett DW, Oconnor RW, Luster MI (1994) Pulmonary response of fischer 344 rats to acute nose-only inhalation of indium trichloride. Environ Res 67:68–83

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards DA, Hanes J, Caponetti G, Hrkach J, Ben-Jebria A, Eskew ML, Mintzes J, Deaver D, Lotan N, Langer R (1997) Large porous particles for pulmonary drug delivery. Science 20:1868–1872

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darquenne C, Prisk GK (2004) Effect of small flow reversals on aerosol mixing in the alveolar region of the human lung. J Appl Physiol 97:2083–2089

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fluent (2003) FLUENT 6, user’s guide. Fluent Inc

  • Forrest JB (1970) The effect of changes in lung volume on the size and shape of alveoli. J Physiol 210:533–547

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heyder J (2004) Deposition of inhaled particles in the human respiratory tract and consequences for regional targeting in respiratory drug delivery. Proc Am Thorac Soc 1:315–320

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heyder J, Gebhart J, Rudolf G, Schiller C F, Stahlhofen W (1986) Deposition of particles in the human respiratory-tract in the size range 0.005–15 μm. J Aerosol Sci 17:811–825

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inglesby T, Henderson D, Bartlett J, Ascher M, Eitzen E, Friedlander A, Hauer J, McDade J, Osterholm M, O’Toole T, Parker G, Perl T, Russell P, Tonat K (1999) Anthrax as a biological weapon: medical and public health management. J Am Med Assoc 281:1735–1745

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kulish VV, Lage JL, Hsia CCW, Jonhson RL (2002) A porous medium model of alveolar gas diffusion. J Porous Media 2:263–275

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee DY, Lee JW (2003) Characteristics of particle transport in an expanding or contracting alveolated tube. J Aerosol Sci 34:1193–1215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miguel AF, Reis AH (2007) Suspension flow with deposition in lung airway bifurcations in different breathing conditions. In: Bronna OE (ed) New developments in hazardous materials research, chap 2. Nova, New York, pp 17–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Miguel AF, Reis AH, Aydin M, Silva AM (2004) Particle deposition in airway bifurcations in different breathing conditions. J Aerosol Sci 35(Suppl 2):1125–1126

    Google Scholar 

  • Patton J (1996) Mechanisms of macromolecule absorption by the lungs. Adv Drug Del Rev 19:3–36

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prange HD (2003) Laplace’s Law and the alveolus: a misconception of Anatomy and a misapplication of Physics. Adv Physiol Educ 27:34–40

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reis AH, Miguel AF, Aydin M (2004a) Constructal theory of flow architecture of the lungs. Med Phys 31:1135–1140

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reis AH, Miguel AF, Aydin M (2004b) Optimized design of a porous structure for gas transport from opening to surface using constructal theory. In: Reis AH, Miguel AF (eds) Applications of porous media. CGE, Evora, pp 552–557

    Google Scholar 

  • Tippe A, Tsuda A (1999) Recirculating flow in an expanding alveolar model: experimental evidence of flow-induced mixing of aerosols in the pulmonary acinus. J Aerosol Sci 31:979–986

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsuda A, Federspiel WJ, Grant Jr PA, Fredberg JF (1991) Axial dispersion of inert species in alveolated channels. Chem Eng Sci 46:1419–1426

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tsuda A, Rogers RA, Hydon PE, Butler JP (2002) Chaotic mixing deep in the lung. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 99:10173–10178

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Valentin J (2002) Guide for the practical application of the ICRP Human Respiratory Tract Model: ICRP Supporting Guidance 3 approved by ICRP Committee 2 in October 2000. Ann ICRP 32(1–2):13–14

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weibel E (1973) Morphological basis of alveolar-capillary gas exchange. Physiol Rev 53:419–495

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Kleinstreuer C, Kim CS (2002) Cyclic micron-size particle inhalation and deposition in a triple bifurcation lung airway model. J Aerosol Sci 33:257–281

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

This work has been supported by the Portuguese National Science Foundation under contract no. POCTI/EME/59909/2004.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34439, Gumussuyu, Istanbul, Turkey

    G. Balik

  2. Department of Physics, University of Evora, Apartado 94, 7002-554, Evora, Portugal

    A. H. Reis & A. F. Miguel

  3. Evora Geophysics Centre, Rua Romão Ramalho 59, 7000-671, Evora, Portugal

    A. H. Reis, M. Aydin & A. F. Miguel

  4. Institute of Energy, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey

    M. Aydin

Authors
  1. G. Balik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. H. Reis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Aydin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. F. Miguel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. H. Reis.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Balik, G., Reis, A.H., Aydin, M. et al. Behavior of submicrometer particles in periodic alveolar airflows. Eur J Appl Physiol 102, 677–683 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0638-x

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-007-0638-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation