Dispersion Behavior of Particles within a Dry Powder Inhaler using the Multi-Phase Particle-in-Cell Method

Dispersion Behavior of Particles within a Dry Powder Inhaler using the Multi-Phase Particle-in-Cell Method | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Dispersion Behavior of Particles within a Dry Powder Inhaler using the Multi-Phase Particle-in-Cell Method Hao Xu, Suqian Li, Xiaole Chen, Yi Jin, Yu Liu, jun xie This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6533265/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 09 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in Aerosol Science and Engineering → Version 1 posted 6 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Drug delivery via dry powder inhalers (DPIs) is a complex process influenced by multiple factors, including airflow and particle collisions. The performance of binary formulations based on carrier particles is contingent upon the release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) particles. Dry powder inhalers result in large particle number concentrations, which presents challenges for modeling using the conventional Computational Fluid Dynamics-Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) approach. In this paper, a mathematical model for the three-dimensional gas-solid flow within a DPI is established based on the Multi-Phase Particle-in-Cell (MP-PIC) method, taking into account factors such as the grid's existence, particle agglomerates, and sphericity effects. The MP-PIC model simulation results were verified against the findings of experiments. The micron-sized particles dispersion and emitted dose behaviors were examined in DPI model. Then, we assessed the formulation design of carrier particles with varying particle sizes. The findings demonstrated that as the particle diameter increases, the elevated inertial parameter causes the particle trajectories to deviate more significantly from the fluid streamlines. The dispersion performance of the formulation within the device deteriorates notably with larger carrier particles, leading to a gradual increase in drug powder retention in the dry powder inhaler. Additionally, it is observed that the airflow primarily disturbs the region above the lower piercing hole, while exerting minimal influence on the flow at the bottom of the capsule chamber. This results in the majority of particles accumulating near the entrance of the capsule’s lower piercing hole. The current approach offers an effective way of forecasting particle dispersion and fluidization behavior in dry powder inhalers. Drug delivery MP-PIC Dry powder inhaler Dispersion Full Text Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 09 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in Aerosol Science and Engineering → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Minor revisions 20 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 08 Jun, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 06 May, 2025 Editor invited by journal 04 May, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 27 Apr, 2025 First submitted to journal 25 Apr, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6533265","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":452956364,"identity":"7f8126c3-35e8-4471-b890-6689d97a332e","order_by":0,"name":"Hao Xu","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Nanjing Normal University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Hao","middleName":"","lastName":"Xu","suffix":""},{"id":452956365,"identity":"a7b4799a-7600-480e-8d32-3838e08cceac","order_by":1,"name":"Suqian Li","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Nanjing Normal 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The performance of binary formulations based on carrier particles is contingent upon the release of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) particles. Dry powder inhalers result in large particle number concentrations, which presents challenges for modeling using the conventional Computational Fluid Dynamics-Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) approach. In this paper, a mathematical model for the three-dimensional gas-solid flow within a DPI is established based on the Multi-Phase Particle-in-Cell (MP-PIC) method, taking into account factors such as the grid's existence, particle agglomerates, and sphericity effects.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe MP-PIC model simulation results were verified against the findings of experiments. The micron-sized particles dispersion and emitted dose behaviors were examined in DPI model. Then, we assessed the formulation design of carrier particles with varying particle sizes. 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