dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaInterplay between geometry and flow distribution in an airway tree
| Authors | B. Mauroy, M. Filoche, J. S. Andrade Jr, B. Sapoval |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0302050 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0302050 |
| DOI | 10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.148101 |
| Journal | Physical Review Letters, vol 90, issue 14, 148101 (2003) |
Abstract
Uniform fluid flow distribution in a symmetric volume can be realized through a symmetric branched tree. It is shown here, however, that the flow partitioning can be highly sensitive to deviations from exact symmetry if inertial effects are present. This is found by direct numerical simulation of the Navier-Stokes equations in a 3D tree geometry. The flow asymmetry is quantified and found to depend on the Reynolds number. Moreover, for a given Reynolds number, we show that the flow distribution depends on the aspect ratio of the branching elements as well as their angular arrangement. Our results indicate that physiological variability should be severely restricted in order to ensure uniform fluid distribution in a tree. This study suggests that any non-uniformity in the air flow distribution in human lungs should be influenced by the respiratory conditions, rest or hard exercise.
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"abstract": "Uniform fluid flow distribution in a symmetric volume can be realized through\na symmetric branched tree. It is shown here, however, that the flow\npartitioning can be highly sensitive to deviations from exact symmetry if\ninertial effects are present. This is found by direct numerical simulation of\nthe Navier-Stokes equations in a 3D tree geometry. The flow asymmetry is\nquantified and found to depend on the Reynolds number. Moreover, for a given\nReynolds number, we show that the flow distribution depends on the aspect ratio\nof the branching elements as well as their angular arrangement. Our results\nindicate that physiological variability should be severely restricted in order\nto ensure uniform fluid distribution in a tree. This study suggests that any\nnon-uniformity in the air flow distribution in human lungs should be influenced\nby the respiratory conditions, rest or hard exercise.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0302050",
"authors": [
"B. Mauroy",
"M. Filoche",
"J. S. Andrade Jr",
"B. Sapoval"
],
"categories": [
"physics.bio-ph",
"cond-mat",
"physics.flu-dyn",
"physics.med-ph"
],
"doi": "10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.148101",
"journal_ref": "Physical Review Letters, vol 90, issue 14, 148101 (2003)",
"title": "Interplay between geometry and flow distribution in an airway tree",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0302050"
},
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