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Characteristics of small vortices were studied in axisymmetric jets wherein the Kolmogorov scale was approached by progressively decreasing the Reynolds number while still maintaining turbulent flow. A periodic forcing introduced far upstream of the jet nozzle ensured that the jet was turbulent. A vortex eduction tool was developed and applied to the high-pass filtered 2D velocity field in the axial plane of a turbulent jet while varying Re between 140 and 2600. Vortex population, energy, vorticity, and rms (root-mean-square velocity fluctuations) of the high-pass filtered field were measured to elucidate vortex characteristics. The observed population of vortices decreases dramatically at the Kolmogorov scale. The observed increase in vortex population with decreasing vortex size appears to be in accord with the space-filling argument, in that the vortex population in a two-dimensional domain should grow as R−2. The energy density curve obtained from vortex statistics reproduces the −5∕3 slope for the inertial subrange, and the high-pass filtered field accounts for approximately two-thirds of the total rms.

Although turbulent jets have been studied extensively, one configuration that has not received much attention is the viscosity-stratified jet, wherein a turbulent jet of lower viscosity issues into a density-matched host liquid of higher viscosity. We present experimental data for scalar dispersion and two-dimensional velocity measurements in the axial plane of a turbulent axisymmetric jet with a Reynolds number (Re) of 2,000 issuing into a viscous host liquid at viscosity ratios (m) ranging from 1 to 55. The presence of a strong viscosity discontinuity across the jet edge results in a significant decrease in the scalar spread rate. We attribute this to the rapid reduction in turbulence intensity and the suppression of large engulfing eddies at the jet edge. The velocity profile, on the other hand, indicates that the velocity width and mass flux reduce with increasing m up to about 20, but then increase for higher values of m. This non-monotonic variation is explained by the growing influence of viscous stress for m>20. The scalar spread rate, the velocity spread rate, the centerline velocity decay rate, and the jet mass flux are all minimized for m≈20 for Re=2,000.

The human lung comprises about 300 million alveoli which are located on bronchioles between the 17th to 24th generations of the acinar tree, with a progressively higher population density in the deeper branches (lower acini). The alveolar size and aspect ratio change with generation number. Due to successive bifurcation, the flow velocity magnitude also decreases as the bronchiole diameter decreases from the upper to lower acini. As a result, fluid dynamic parameters such as Reynolds (Re) and Womersley (α) numbers progressively decrease with increasing generation number. In order to characterize alveolar flow patterns and inhaled particle transport during synchronous ventilation, we have conducted measurements for a range of dimensionless parameters physiologically relevant to the upper acini. Acinar airflow patterns were measured using a simplified in vitro alveolar model consisting of a single transparent elastic truncated sphere (representing the alveolus) mounted over a circular hole on the side of a rigid circular tube (representing the bronchiole). The model alveolus was capable of expanding and contracting in-phase with the oscillatory flow through the bronchiole thereby simulating synchronous ventilation. Realistic breathing conditions were achieved by exercising the model over a range of progressively varying geometric and dynamic parameters to simulate the environment within several generations of the acinar tree. Particle image velocimetry was used to measure the resulting flow patterns. Next, we used the measured flow fields to calculate particle trajectories to obtain particle transport and deposition statistics for massless and finite-size particles under the influence of flow advection and gravity. Our study shows that the geometric parameters (β and ΔV/V) primarily affect the velocity magnitudes, whereas the dynamic parameters (Re and α) distort the flow symmetry while also altering the velocity magnitudes. Consequently, the dynamic parameters have a greater influence on the particle trajectories and deposition statistics compared to the geometric parameters. The results from this study can benefit pulmonary research into the risk assessment of toxicological inhaled aerosols, and the pharmaceutical industry by providing better insight into the flow patterns and particle transport of inhalable therapeutics in the acini.

The alveoli are the smallest units of the lung that participate in gas exchange. Although gas transport is governed primarily by diffusion due to the small length scales associated with the acinar region (~500 μm), the transport and deposition of inhaled aerosol particles are influenced by convective airflow patterns. Therefore, understanding alveolar fluid flow and mixing is a necessary first step toward predicting aerosol transport and deposition in the human acinar region. In this study, flow patterns, and particle transport have been measured using a simplified in-vitro alveolar model consisting of a single alveolus located on a bronchiole. The model comprises a transparent elastic 5/6 spherical cap (representing the alveolus) mounted over a circular hole on the side of a rigid circular tube (representing the bronchiole). The alveolus is capable of expanding and contracting in phase with the oscillatory flow through the tube. Realistic breathing conditions were achieved by exercising the model at physiologically relevant Reynolds and Womersley numbers. Particle image velocimetry was used to measure the resulting flow patterns in the alveolus. Data were acquired for five cases obtained as combinations of the alveolar-wall motion (nondeforming/oscillating) and the bronchiole flow (none/ steady/oscillating). Detailed vector maps at discrete points within a given cycle revealed flow patterns, and transport and mixing of bronchiole fluid into the alveolar cavity. The time-dependent velocity vector fields were integrated over multiple cycles to estimate particle transport into the alveolar cavity and deposition on the alveolar wall. The key outcome of the study is that alveolar-wall motion enhances mixing between the bronchiole and the alveolar fluid. Particle transport and deposition into the alveolar cavity are maximized when the alveolar wall oscillates in tandem with the bronchiole fluid, which is the operating case in the human lung. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4001112].

The acinar region of the human lung comprises about 300x10(6) alveoli, which are responsible for gas exchange between the lung and the blood. As discussed in Part I (Chhabra and Prasad, "Flow and Particle Dispersion in a Pulmonary Alveolus-Part I: Velocity Measurements and Convective Particle Transport," ASME J. Biomech. Eng., 132, p. 051009), the deposition of aerosols in the acinar region can either be detrimental to gas exchange (as in the case of harmful particulate matter) or beneficial (as in the case of inhalable pharmaceuticals). We measured the flow field inside an in-vitro model of a single alveolus mounted on a bronchiole and calculated the transport and deposition of massless particles in Part I. This paper focuses on the transport and deposition of finite-sized particles ranging from 0.25 microm to 4 microm under the combined influence of flow-induced advection (computed from velocity maps obtained by particle image velocimetry) and gravitational settling. Particles were introduced during the first inhalation cycle and their trajectories and deposition statistics were calculated for subsequent cycles for three different particle sizes (0.25 microm, 1 microm, and 4 microm) and three alveolar orientations. The key outcome of the study is that particlesor=0.25 microm follow the fluid streamlines quite closely, whereas midsize particles (d(p)=1 microm) deviate to some extent from streamlines and exhibit complex trajectories. The motion of large particlesor=4 microm is dominated by gravitational settling and shows little effect of fluid advection. Additionally, small and midsize particles deposit at about two-thirds height in the alveolus irrespective of the gravitational orientation whereas the deposition of large particles is governed primarily by the orientation of the gravity vector.

Breathing, defined as the exchange of gases between the respiratory system and the environment, is an essential process for life. The human respiratory system can be divided into three parts: (i) nose, mouth, and nasopharynx, (ii) trachea, and (iii) lungs. The human lung can be further subdivided into conducting airways which are non-alveolated and comprise the upper part of lung, and the acini which consist of flexible, alveolated airways and are responsible for gas exchange [1]. The alveoli collectively provide a large surface area (∼70 m2) for efficient gas exchange [1]; oxygen diffuses into the blood through the alveolar epithelium, whereas carbon dioxide diffuses in the opposite direction from the blood to the lung.Copyright © 2009 by ASME

The human lung comprises 24 generations of dichotomously branching tubes known as bronchi [1]. Functionally, these generations can be categorized as: (1) conducting airways which are non-alveolated and comprise the first 16 generations, and (2) the acini which consist of flexible, alveolated airways and are responsible for gas exchange. The alveoli are the most important units of the human respiratory system and provide large surface area (about 70–80 m2) for efficient gas exchange; oxygen diffuses into the blood through the alveolar epithelium, whereas carbon dioxide diffuses in the opposite direction from the blood to the lung.Copyright © 2008 by ASME

Inhaled particulate matter from the environment can produce adverse health effects on the human respiratory system. Conversely, inhalable therapeutics can be delivered to the respiratory tract to treat local and systemic ailments. Both of these fields of study require the accurate prediction of particle transport and deposition in the lung, particularly in the acinar region. A necessary first step to predict particle trajectories is to characterize the airflow in which the particles are suspended. Only particles smaller than 5 μm reach the acinar region [1], hence it can be assumed that such particles will closely follow the fluid streamlines. The current work focuses on the fluid mechanics of the acinar region of the lung to infer particle transport and deposition.Copyright © 2007 by ASME