A model of evaporation from the skin while wearing protective clothing |
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Authors: | B Cain Tom M McLellan |
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Institution: | (1) Defence and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine, Human Protection and Performance Sector, 1133 Sheppard Avenue, West, PO Box 200, North York, Ontario, Canada, M3M 3B9, CA |
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Abstract: | A simple model was developed to describe the transport of water vapour from subjects working in hot environments while wearing
chemical-protective clothing. The goal of the modelling was to obtain a better estimate of evaporative cooling of the subjects,
as it was hypothesised that calculations of evaporative heat loss based on changes in dressed weight over-estimate the actual
benefit experienced by the subjects. The model employed measured values of vapour pressure within the clothing ensemble to
estimate the skin vapour pressure. The resistance of the clothing ensemble to water vapour transport was calculated from measurements
of the physical properties of the materials in conjunction with estimates of the resistance of air layers between the clothing
layers. The model predicts mean evaporation rates from the skin that are approximately 60% of those calculated from measured
changes in dressed weight. Error analysis failed to account for the magnitude of this difference and possible explanations
for the difference are advanced. A brief examination of the effect of wicking suggests that some of the difference results
from a reduction of the resistance of the garment to water vapour due to wicking of liquid sweat through fabric layers.
Received: 4 June 1997 / Accepted: 21 October 1997 |
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Keywords: | Water vapour transport Evaporation Protective clothing Heat strain Heat storage Human performance |
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