A numerical study of particle motion within the human larynx and trachea

In this paper, particle trajectories are calculated using a stochastic model for turbulent fluctuations incorporated into the particle momentum equation, in combination with the time-averaged solutions of flow fields in the larynx and trachea. The manner in which turbulence may affect overall deposition is investigated through illustrative numerical experiments of the effects of flow rate, initial particle location, density, and size, from which results are given in the form of probability density histograms of final particle locations (i.e. deposition sites). The histogram bins are defined in a unique manner that highlight the deposition mechanisms associated with turbulent dispersion. It is observed that turbulence may play a key role in enhancing particle deposition in the larynx and trachea.