A novel modelling approach to energy transport in a respiratory system. (16th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nithiarasu, Perumal; Sazonov, Igor
• Is Part Of: International journal for numerical methods in biomedical engineering. Volume 33:Number 10(2017:Oct.)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-02-16
• Subjects: convection -- evaporation -- finite element method -- heat transfer -- respiratory system -- stabilised method; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Imaging systems in medicine -- Periodicals; Numerical analysis -- Periodicals; Engineering mathematics -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1002/cnm.2854
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-7939

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, energy transport in a respiratory tract is modelled using the finite element method for the first time. The upper and lower respiratory tracts are approximated as a 1‐dimensional domain with varying cross‐sectional and surface areas, and the radial heat conduction in the tissue is approximated using the 1‐dimensional cylindrical coordinate system. The governing equations are solved using 1‐dimensional linear finite elements with convective and evaporative boundary conditions on the wall. The results obtained for the exhalation temperature of the respiratory system have been compared with the available animal experiments. The study of a full breathing cycle indicates that evaporation is the main mode of heat transfer, and convection plays almost negligible role in the energy transport. This is in‐line with the results obtained from animal experiments. Abstract : In this paper, energy transport in a respiratory tract is modelled using the finite element method for the first time. The upper and lower respiratory tracts are approximated as a one‐dimensional domain with varying cross sectional and surface areas, and the radial heat conduction in the tissue is approximated using the one dimensional cylindrical coordinate system. The governing equations are solved using one‐dimensional linear finite elements with convective and evaporative boundary conditions on the wall. The results obtained for the exhalation temperature of the respiratory system have been compared with the available animal experiments. The study of a full breathing cycle indicates that evaporation is the main mode of heat transfer, and convection plays almost negligible role in the energy transport. This is inline with the results obtained from animal experiments.