The flow of micrometre-sized glass fibres in a replica of the human trachea

Inhaled fibres can potentially cause inflammation of the lung tissue and interstitium which, after long-term exposure, may lead to cancer, malignant mesothelioma or pulmonary pleural fibrosis. For risk reduction correct setting occupational hygiene regulations, it is important be able precisely calculate fate inhaled depending on their physical characteristics inhalation conditions. As there a lack experimental data orientation fibres, new test rig has been assembled for visualization recording flowing in replica human trachea. Fibres prepared from regular glass produced commercially blown thermal insulation have processed, dispersed introduced into tube with dimensions Visualization was performed using powerful LED light high-speed camera. Angles evaluated six different flowrates dependence angles flow Reynolds number searched for. The agreed expected values, i.e. only vertically horizontally oriented were recorded. However, did not seem correlated number.