1B45 Numerical simulation of transitional flow in nasal cavity

Abstract

Airflow in a realistic nasal model was numerically simulated in order to investigate the transitional nature of flow. Computed tomography scans were used to reconstruct 3D realistic model of nasal airways. Direct numerical simulation of quiet restful inspiratory flow was performed using meshes with voxel pitches of 0.05 mm. This study investigates the effect of inflow velocity profile on transitional flow during steady nasal inspiration. Resultant velocity profiles and fluctuations were discussed in comparison between the naturally inflow profile and the simplified flat velocity profile at the nostril. As a result, simplified inflow profile is found to affect structure of the flow. The velocity fluctuations in flat velocity profile were smaller than those in the naturally inflow profile.