I want to use computational fluid dynamics to look at respiration in some mammals, but would like to include a complete oronasal apparatus (i.e., not just the nasal cavity). How feasible is this? Some of my species are extinct, so this would involve some estimation of the soft tissues..
Hi,
It depends on your available data. For accurate simulation you will need adequate resolution of imaging (computed tomography or MRI) I guess. If you have imaging of the nasal cavity including the apparatus yes it is possible to perform CFD. If you do not have imaging of the apparatus in the cavity at once then you have to perform registration of the two imaging cases which might be complicated. I hope I helped, but with more details perhaps I could think something better.
Another issue is that in your case, the boundary conditions are not rígid. You should find a computacional method able to do that. Probably a lagrangian method would allow you to do what you describe.
Hi:
CFD outcomes/accuracy will highly dependent on: a) data to generate the geometry of the structure, and b) data to impose boundary conditions (pressure profiles, velocity field, Reynolds number, etc).
For upper airways I would strongly suggest to use finite volume methods.
Finally, something important to keep in mind: due to computational requirements, most of the times the boundaries of the domain are considered rigid (plus no slippery approach). That might limit the validity of the simulation specifically in the oronasal cavity. Just something to keep in mind (mostly for the patterns in the anterior oral cavity).
Kind regards
William
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