Miroslav Jicha

Development of a realistic human airway model

Numerous models of human lungs with various levels of idealization have been reported in the literature; consequently, results acquired using these models are difficult to compare to in vivo measurements. We have developed a set of model components based on realistic geometries, which permits the analysis of the effects of subsequent model simplification. A realistic digital upper airway geometry except for the lack of an oral cavity has been created which proved suitable both for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and for the fabrication of physical models. Subsequently, an oral cavity was added to the tracheobronchial geometry. The airway geometry including the oral cavity was adjusted to enable fabrication of a semi-realistic model. Five physical models were created based on these three digital geometries. Two optically transparent models, one with and one without the oral cavity, were constructed for flow velocity measurements, two realistic segmented models, one with and one without the oral cavity, were constructed for particle deposition measurements, and a semi-realistic model with glass cylindrical airways was developed for optical measurements of flow velocity and in situ particle size measurements. One-dimensional phase doppler anemometry measurements were made and compared to the CFD calculations for this model and good agreement was obtained.

Regional aerosol deposition in the human airways: the SimInhale benchmark case and a critical assessment of in silico methods

Abstract Regional deposition effects are important in the pulmonary delivery of drugs intended for the topical treatment of respiratory ailments. They also play a critical role in the systemic delivery of drugs with limited lung bioavailability. In recent years, significant improvements in the quality of pulmonary imaging have taken place, however the resolution of current imaging modalities remains inadequate for quantifying regional deposition. Computational Fluid‐Particle Dynamics (CFPD) can fill this gap by providing detailed information about regional deposition in the extrathoracic and conducting airways. It is therefore not surprising that the last 15 years have seen an exponential growth in the application of CFPD methods in this area. Survey of the recent literature however, reveals a wide variability in the range of modelling approaches used and in the assumptions made about important physical processes taking place during aerosol inhalation. The purpose of this work is to provide a concise critical review of the computational approaches used to date, and to present a benchmark case for validation of future studies in the upper airways. In the spirit of providing the wider community with a reference for quality assurance of CFPD studies, in vitro deposition measurements have been conducted in a human‐based model of the upper airways, and several groups within MP1404 SimInhale have computed the same case using a variety of simulation and discretization approaches. Here, we report the results of this collaborative effort and provide a critical discussion of the performance of the various simulation methods. The benchmark case, in vitro deposition data and in silico results will be published online and made available to the wider community. Particle image velocimetry measurements of the flow, as well as additional numerical results from the community, will be appended to the online database as they become available in the future. Graphical Abstract Figure. No caption available.

A method for in vitro regional aerosol deposition measurement in a model of the human tracheobronchial tree by the positron emission tomography

Researchers have been studying aerosol transport in human lungs for some decades. The overall lung deposition can be predicted with sufficient precision nowadays. However, the prediction of local deposition remains an unsolved problem. Numerical modeling of aerosol transport can provide detailed data with such precision and spatial resolution which were unavailable in the past. Yet, the necessary validation of numerical results represents a difficult task, as the experimental data in a sufficient spatial resolution are hardly available. This article introduces a method based on positron emission tomography, which allows acquisition of detailed experimental data on local aerosol deposition in a realistic model of human lungs. The method utilizes the Condensation Monodisperse Aerosol Generator modified for a safe production of radioactive aerosol particles and a special measuring rig. The scanning of the model is performed on a positron emission tomography–computed tomography scanner. The evaluation of aerosol deposition is based on a volume radioactivity analysis in a specialized, yet publicly available software. The reliability of the method was tested and its first results are discussed in the article. The measurements performed using the presented method can serve for validation of numerical simulations, since the presented lung model digital geometry is available.

Computational modelling of airflow in urban street canyon and comparison with measurements

The main goal of this study was to predict the airflow in a street canyon surrounded by an urban area using CFD modelling. In the street geometry described in the main part, the actual airflow directly influences air infiltration into buildings. Different models of turbulence were tested as well as specific wind boundary conditions. A correct assignment of boundary conditions (i.e., mainly wind conditions) is a very important step to obtain results that are comparable with measurements. Results of 3D airflow in the street canyon were obtained for different velocities and directions of an undisturbed wind above the roof level. Wind conditions were prescribed in two different ways, as a velocity profile on the incoming side of the solution domain, in the other as a fixed velocity in the layer where the wind velocity was measured. Results of calculations are compared with measurements done in the studied street canyon. Individual models of turbulence were tested to obtain the best agreement between predictions and measurements.

HVAC automotive vents evaluation and their performance

Car passengers’ comfort is increasingly important, not only from good feelings or travel comfort point of view, but also from the transportation safety perspective, where the drivers thermal comfort is of crucial importance. The main components affecting optimal comfort are HVAC vents. This article focuses on the performance assessment of a side dashboard car vent with adjustable horizontal vanes that allow changing the air jet direction vertically along with a complete shut-off. A new measuring methodology is presented here; it simulates real and complete ventilation system conditions using a simple laboratory piece of equipment with a single vent mounted. The flow pattern as generated by the vent jet was first studied with smoke visualization, then using a two-wire constant-temperature anemometer probe. Jet orientations and boundaries were identified for particular vent settings, which are fundamental in the assessment of vent performance. The average air speed and turbulence intensity were determined. Results show that the actual jet direction differs substantially from the direction that was set by the vanes and that further research may lead to a new and improved design of automatic control of a zonal ventilation system and contribute to more accurate control of passengers’ comfort.

Multicomponent aerosol particle deposition in a realistic cast of the human upper respiratory tract

Abstract Inhalation of aerosols generated by electronic cigarettes leads to deposition of multiple chemical compounds in the human airways. In this work, an experimental method to determine regional deposition of multicomponent aerosols in an in vitro segmented, realistic human lung geometry was developed and applied to two aerosols, i.e. a monodisperse glycerol aerosol and a multicomponent aerosol. The method comprised the following steps: (1) lung cast model preparation, (2) aerosol generation and exposure, (3) extraction of deposited mass, (4) chemical quantification and (5) data processing. The method showed good agreement with literature data for the deposition efficiency when using a monodisperse glycerol aerosol, with a mass median aerodynamic diameter (MMAD) of 2.3 μm and a constant flow rate of 15 L/min. The highest deposition surface density rate was observed in the bifurcation segments, indicating inertial impaction deposition. The experimental method was also applied to the deposition of a nebulized multicomponent aerosol with a MMAD of 0.50 μm and a constant flow rate of 15 L/min. The deposited amounts of glycerol, propylene glycol and nicotine were quantified. The three analyzed compounds showed similar deposition patterns and fractions as for the monodisperse glycerol aerosol, indicating that the compounds most likely deposited as parts of the same droplets. The developed method can be used to determine regional deposition for multicomponent aerosols, provided that the compounds are of low volatility. The generated data can be used to validate aerosol deposition simulations and to gain insight in deposition of electronic cigarette aerosols in human airways.

Virtual Testing Stand for evaluation of car cabin indoor environment

In the paper the authors refer to a new computational tool for the transient prediction of the car cabin environment and heat load during real operating conditions. The aim of the Virtual Testing Stand software is to support an early stage of the HVAC design process to predict demands for the heating and cooling for various operational conditions and types of car. This software was developed in Matlab as a standalone executable application including a parametric generator of car cabin geometry, a heat transfer model and a graphical user interface. The mathematical model is formed by the set of heat balance equations, which takes into account the heat accumulation, and the heat exchange between the car cabin, the outside environment, the HVAC system and the passengers. In this paper the main features of Matlab application are presented together with a selected sensitivity study of two significant parameters in a winter test case.

Droplet dynamics in internally mixed twin-fluid spray

Effervescent atomizers are based on the mixing of gas with liquid prior to discharge. We describe the discharge of a two-phase mixture and movement of droplets in a gas jet using simple theoretical models, following with elucidation of droplets dynamics using experimental data for an effervescent spray. Discharge of the liquid-gas mixture from the nozzle is solved using a combination of two discharge models. Depending on operation conditions, 59– 64% of the total discharged mass corresponds to the Separated Flow Model and the rest to the Homogeneous Flow Model. Discharge velocity of the liquid is 12– 27% of the gas exit velocity. The liquid-gas velocity ratio is negatively correlated with gas-to-liquid mass ratio (GLR) and positively correlated with inlet pressure. Radial profiles of axial droplet velocity, as measured using Phase Doppler anemometry, are axisymmetric bell-shaped with a maximum in the centreline analogous to the profile defined for a simple gas jet which, however, is more flat near the centreline and declines much faster for higher radial positions. Mean velocity in individual spray positions varies with particle size within a range of several m/s typically. This variation is closely related to particle Stokes number, Stk. Variation of mean velocity with operation pressure and GLR can be explained with discharge conditions; higher pressures and GLRs lead to higher discharge velocities that are reflected in the spray downstream. Stokes numbers are generally 10 and very weakly interact with the gas.

Operational Heat Balance Model with Parameterized Geometry for the Prediction of Car Cabin Heat Loads

Abstract The paper presents the development of a mathematical model and a simulation tool for the transient prediction of the indoor climate and the heat loads in a car cabin, under real operating conditions. The main objectives were to develop a tool which facilitates, for example, the design of a cabin HVAC system or an on-line control. The model is based on the energy balance between the cabin and the outdoor environment accounting for conduction, convection and shortwave and longwave radiation. Inside the car cabin, the heat exchange is calculated between the human body, the air zone, the interior cabin surfaces and the incoming air from the HVAC system. The heat balance model assumes a simplified 3D geometry of a cabin, which is specified by seven basic parameters. The model also allows simulating the incidence angle of the sun rays onto the individual parts of the exterior surface during parking as well as during a journey. The model was tested and evaluated for a Škoda Felicia Combi car in situations of summer parking and an autumn journey. Measured data were used both as boundary conditions for the model and as validation and calibration data. The air temperature inside the car cabin, predicted by the model, was in a very good agreement with the measured mean air temperature. The model is able to correctly predict the indoor cabin air temperature and the heat loads into the car cabin, thus it is well suited as a software support tool in the process of HVAC design and on-line cabin climate control.

Impact of alternative fuel rheology on spraying process of small pressure-swirl atomizer

A systematic investigation was made to analyse the atomizing performance of a small pressure-swirl atomizer with different crude-oil based fuels and water. The atomizer performance is characterized in terms of discharge coefficient, droplet Sauter mean diameter and nozzle efficiency. Phase-Doppler anemometry was used to measure droplets sizes and velocities and to determine the mean structure of the developed spray. A strong dependence of liquid viscosity on the mass flow rate through the atomizer as well as on the spray quality was found and discussed in comparison with relevant literature.