Eulerian Thin-Film Model Based Aerosol Transport and Deposition in Human Lung Airways under Realistic Breathing Maneuvers

Abstract

This work investigates airflow and post-deposition film formation in a computed tomography (CT)- scan-based human lung model in generation (G0-G7) using a combined discrete phase model (DPM) and Eulerian wall film (EWF) approach. Particle sizes of 1, 5 and 10 μm are examined under healthy and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) breathing conditions. Results show that breathing patterns strongly affect airflow dynamics and deposition behavior, with COPD inhalation producing higher velocities, enhanced turbulence, and a shift of maximum deposition toward the carina. The framework provides improved insight into disease-specific aerosol transport and supports optimized inhalation-based drug delivery and risk assessment.