The effect of carbon monoxide in the exergy behavior of lungs

Abstract

© 2017 IMEKOThe present work evaluates the impact of carbon monoxide inhalation in the human lungs exergy behaviour for different levels of intoxications and altitude. It is significant because this substance is one of the most common air pollutants in cities and an increasing in the destroyed exergy can be associated with a reduction in lifespan. Moreover, an evaluation of the severity as a function of the city height may intensify the hazard associated with carbon monoxide. In order to evaluate these consequences, a carbon monoxide transportation model obtained in literature was used to calculate the concentrations of oxygen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide in the different respiratory system tissues. With the purpose to better evaluate the different levels of carbon monoxide intoxication and hemoglobin concentration (which is a function of acclimatization time) it was proposed an exergy efficiency for the lungs. From this model, it was possible to conclude that a higher level of intoxication is associated to lower exergy efficiency values. Higher hemoglobin levels when associated to carbon monoxide intoxication also results in lower efficiencies.