Gas uptake in a three-generation model geometry with a flat inlet velocity during steady inspiration: comparison of axisymmetric and three-dimensional models

Mass transfer coefficients were predicted and compared for uptake of reactive gas system using an axisymmetric single-path model (ASPM) with experimentally predicted values in a two-generation geometry and with a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model (CFDM) in a three-generation model geometry at steady inspiratory flow with a flat inlet velocity profile. The flow and concentration fields in the ASPM were solved using Galerkin's finite element method and in the CFDM using a commercial finite element software FIDAP. ASPM predicted average gas phase mass transfer coefficients within 25% of the experimental values. Numerical results in terms of overall mass transfer coefficients from the two models within each bifurcation unit were compared for two different inlet flow rates, wall mass transfer coefficients, and bifurcation angles. The overall mass transfer coefficients variation with bifurcation unit from the ASPM and CFDM compared qualitatively and quantitatively closely at lower wall mass transfer coefficients for both 40 degree and 70 degree bifurcation angles. But at higher wall mass transfer coefficients, quantitatively they were off in the range of 2-10% for 40 degree bifurcation angle and in the range of 4-15% for 70 degree bifurcation angle. Both CFDM and ASPM predict the same trends of increase in mass transfer coefficients with inlet flow, wall mass transfer coefficients, and during inspiration compared to expiration. Higher mass transfer coefficients were obtained with a flat velocity profile compared to a parabolic velocity profile using ASPM. These results validate the simplified ASPM and the complex CFDM.