Journal of Modeling in Engineering

Journal of Modeling in Engineering

Laboratory and numerical tracking of particle droplet deposition through nasal exhalation in the human respiratory tract

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ars.C., Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan, Iran
Abstract
The study of the adsorption of particulate matter in the human respiratory tract is essential for better control, prevention and treatment of diseases. The droplets can easily pass through conventional respiratory masks; therefore, their transmission by conventional masks can occur in the most physiological breathing mode (nasal inhalation), in a closed environment and at rest. The results showed that the amount of deposition of droplets in the olfactory epithelium is low. However, due to the presence of receptors and the long residence time of droplets in this area, the probability of adsorption in the sieve plate area increases. In all boundary conditions of inlet flow rate less than 30 liters per minute, the average percentage of particulate contamination for the upper airway is always less than 50% and for the lung is more than 50%. At flow rates of 6 and 15 L/min, the average percentage of lung involvement/contamination increases to over 87%, which is significantly higher due to the presence of pathogen receptors in the lung. Other findings of this study include: (1) an inverse relationship between the efficiency of droplet deposition in some of the most deformed upper airway segments, and (2) an increase in the rate of deformations applied to the trachea and nasal cavity per minute (about 1.5 times the normal rate), which can lead to discomfort in the head and chest area.
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Subjects


Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 July 2026

  • Receive Date 26 February 2026
  • Revise Date 26 May 2026
  • Accept Date 11 July 2026