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In Figure 6.14 the blue curve represents the humidity fluctuation in the chamber, the<br />

green curve in lump 15 and the red in lump 30. The plateau in the red curve is the<br />

specific humidity of exhaled air which is assumed saturated at 33°C. The plateau in the<br />

blue curve represents the specific humidity of the portion of air in the chamber when the<br />

air is saturated at the in-chamber air temperature. This saturation occurs about the<br />

reverse flow period when the air flows over the water surface three times. A high<br />

heating element temperature setting increases the chance of saturation. This plateau (the<br />

saturated portion) becomes very narrow peaks in the green curve (lump 15) and the red<br />

curve (lump 30) which means the plateau flows through these lumps at a much higher<br />

velocity.<br />

For the condensation/evaporation graphs shown below, the values of<br />

condensation/evaporation rate are of net condensation/evaporation rate in a breath cycle<br />

for fluctuating flows and averaged to mg per second. When the curve is above 0, it<br />

means there is no condensate remaining over a breath cycle. This may mean that there is<br />

no condensation occurring at all. It may also be possible that there has been<br />

condensation occurring but the condensate can be taken away within a cycle’s time by<br />

oncoming drier portion of the flow. When the curve is below 0, it means there is<br />

condensate remaining and building up.<br />

6.3.3.1 Effect of airflow fluctuation amplitude on in-tube condensation<br />

To analyse the influence of amplitude on condensation, the model is given the<br />

conditions as listed below. A comparison between normal and deep breathing is<br />

conducted under these conditions.<br />

Conditions<br />

Pressure<br />

setting<br />

Tube<br />

heating<br />

159<br />

Ambient<br />

temperature<br />

Ambient<br />

relative<br />

humidity<br />

Heating<br />

element<br />

setting<br />

1<br />

45°C<br />

9 cmH2O 0 W 20°C 50%<br />

2 65°C<br />

When the pressure setting is at 9 cmH2O, there is no reverse flow even if the breathing<br />

is deep. The condensation rate graphs and related analysis are shown below.

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