On Non-Spherical Nanoparticle Dynamics in Turbulent Flows

Dispersion and deposition of non-spherical nano- and micro-particles suspended in turbulent flows was studied. Due to the non-spherical morphology, the coupled equations of translational and rotational motions of particles were solved and the corresponding particle trajectories were evaluated. For nano-particles with the scale comparable to the gas mean free path, the Brownian diffusion effects that becomes important was included in both translational and rotational motions. Particular attention was given to the interactions of nano-ellipsoidal particles and fluid motions at different scales. Examples of nano-ellipsoidal particle dispersion and deposition in ducts and respiratory tracks were presented and discussed. Such information is useful for understanding the transport processes of asbestos and nano-fibers in human airways for inhalation risk assessment studies.