Evaluation of several turbulence models to predict flow in an idealised human extra-thoracic airway

The performance of several turbulence models (Standard and RNG k-ε Standard and SST k-ω, and the Reynolds' Stress Model) in predicting the flow in an idealised extra-thoracic airway (ETA) is evaluated using multi-processor implementation of FLUENT. Veracity of the computational models is ascertained at physiologically accurate flow rates of 10, 15, and 30 l/min by comparison of numerical results with hot-wire and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) mean velocity data for the central sagittal plane of the ETA. Furthermore, flow features generated by numerical models are compared to those from experimental flow-visualisation studies. (author)