Simulation of Virus-Laden Droplets Transmitted from Lung to Lung

ABSTRACT

In this study, we conducted a computational fluid dynamics analysis to estimate the trajectory of the virus-laden droplets. As numerical models, two human body models with airways were prepared. These models are represented by unstructured grids. Having calculated the unsteady airflow in the room, we simulated the trajectory of droplets emitted by the human speaking. In addition, inhaling the droplets into the lung of the conversation partner was simulated. The number of the droplets adhered to the respiratory lining of the partner was counted separately on the nasal cavity, oral cavity, trachea, bronchi, and bronchial inlet surface. The diameters of the droplets were also investigated in the same manner. It was noticeable that more than 80% of the droplets inhaled by the conversation partner adhered to the bronchial inlet surface. Also, the conversation partner did not inhale droplets larger than 35 μm in diameter. It was found that when the distance between two people was 0.75 m, more droplets adhered to the partner’s torso. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.