Ozone Uptake during Inspiratory Flow in a Primate Lung: Comparison of Three-Dimensional and Axisymmetric Single-Path Models

We present computational results for the transport and absorption of ozone in the right middle lobe of a rhesus monkey lung using both an anatomically correct airway structure and an axisymmetric single-path model. The anatomically accurate airway geometry is created from magnetic resonance images of a rhesus monkey lung. The equations governing the flow and concentration distribution of ozone are solved numerically for quasi-steady flow under quiet breathing conditions and pseudo-first-order kinetics for the reaction of ozone with antioxidants in the airway lining fluid. The rate of ozone absorption in each airway generation along a selected path in the right middle lobe is quantified, and wall regions with elevated ozone flux are identified. The axisymmetric single-path model accurately captures the longitudinal distribution of ozone in proximal airways, making it a convenient and less costly alternative to direct numerical simulation for predicting the dose distribution of reactive pollutants in the lung.