Binary Diffusion Coefficient : Theory, Experimental Assessment and its Implications as a Limiting Factor of Pulmonary Gas Exchange at Depths

OHTA Yasuyo, KODAKA Yasuko

Binary gas diffusion has attracted considerable attention in the field of respiratory physiology since it seems to play some important role in alveolar gas exchange. Many predictive, theoretical and/or empirical formulae have been reported for calculation of the coefficient. First, we review these formulae briefly. Second, results of experiments using Schwertz and Brow's method are presented. Binary diffusion coefficients for He-H_2O, N_2-H_2O, air-H_2O, N_2O-H_2O, CO_2-H_2O and SF_6-H_2O observed were 0.9400, 0.2737, 0.2986, 0.1917, 0.1877 and 0.1420, respectively, which showed good agreement with those predicted by the Slattery and Bird equation for water vapor, except for He-H_2O. A comparison between the tentatively calculated time for diffusive mixing in the lungs and data reported by Chouteau et al on the development of hypoxemia at depths suggested a possible role of diffusive mixing in Chouteau hypoxia.

Binary Diffusion Coefficient : Theory, Experimental Assessment and its Implications as a Limiting Factor of Pulmonary Gas Exchange at Depths

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