Numerical Simulation of Particle Dispersion around Respiratory System of a Standing and Sleeping Mannequin inside a Room

In this paper, the effect of a mannequin location with an integrated respiratory system in a ventilated room on the flow field and particle dispersion was evaluated, using numerical simulations. Dispersion and deposition of particles inside the respiratory system and inside the room have been investigated, using a Lagrangian approach. The respiratory system contains the nasal airway, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and larynx, trachea, which has been generated from CT scan images and installed on a 3D mannequin model. The evaluation conditions varied as standing and sleeping mannequins form in a room that includes 2 input dampers and 4 output dampers. For simulation of the flow field, the ANSYS FLUENT software- version 17.2 with the 4-equation SST transition turbulence model have been used. Simulations have been performed for 3 different respiration flow rates and 4 different particle diameters. Results indicate higher deposition on the sleeping model rather than standing model due to gravitational effect. The total aspiration of particles inside the respiratory system was less than 0.4%. In addition, the nasal cavity captures large particles, while for small particles, higher deposition occurs in the lower parts of the respiratory tract.