Numerical Simulation and Comparison of flow through Y and Spherical Junction Ventilator Splitters

This study aims to analyse the effect of different junction geometries and split angles on the hydrodynamics of flow through a typical ventilator splitter used for two patients having the same compliance and requiring equal flow rates. Three-Dimensional spherical junction and Y shaped flow splitters were constructed, having an inlet diameter of 21.8 mm splitting into two exit arms each of 19 mm. For the analysis, Y-Splitter was compared with Spherical junction-Splitter having split angle over a range of 30° to 180°. Also, Spherical junction-Splitter with diameters varying from 40 to 60 mm were analysed. A transient 3D model was developed in ANSYS 2019 R1 to simulate the flow through the ventilator splitter for a range of inlet mass flow rates. Colour contour images pertaining to the simulation are made available in this dataset