Two-layer model for the process of blood oxygenation in the pulmonary capillaries - parabolic profiles in the core as well as in the plasma layer (Q1112703)

A two-layer model for the process of blood oxygenation consisting of a core of erythrocytes surrounded by a cell-free plasma layer has been proposed. A fully developed velocity profile which is different in each of the layers is used. The equations describing the simultaneous transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the capillary are the nonlinear coupled system of convective-diffusion equations. These equations together with the physiologically relevant boundary, entrance, and interface conditions are solved numerically by a finite difference technique using the variable initial data. The distance traversed by the blood in the capillary before getting fully oxygenated is computed. A comparison between the homogeneous and heterogeneous models under different flow conditions is made. It is found that the reaction is dominant over the molecular diffusion near the entry. The equilibration length increases in the two-layer model with parabolic profiles, and the plasma layer obstructs the transport of gases.