Experimental Investigation into the Thermal Performance of Personal Cooling Mechanisms
Source abstract
Abstract
Environmental conditions, job tasks, and clothing choices influence the thermal comfort of workers. While it is impossible to control outdoor environmental conditions, selecting appropriate clothing for workers is feasible. Personal protective equipment often does not completely protect outdoor workers at high air temperatures. In such cases, cooling garments can help dissipate body heat and be worn with standard work clothes or uniforms. Currently, there is a lack of consensus in the literature regarding the characterisation of this type of garment. This study employed an innovative laboratory testing method that integrates a thermal manikin with a computer simulation program to assess the thermal sensation and comfort of various garment types in different activities and environmental conditions. This advanced approach enables a thorough evaluation of cooling garments that considers their physical properties and interactions with the human body. The findings confirm the efficacy of the tested cooling mechanisms, highlighting that the air circulation mechanism was the only one that consistently maintained user comfort across low, medium, and high metabolic activity levels. This study aims to assist users in selecting the most suitable cooling mechanism for the market based on the type of work or activity being performed.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Building Energy and Comfort Optimization · Thermoregulation and physiological responses · Climate Change and Health Impacts
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Textile Industry Research Association-AITEX, Comfort Department, Carretera de Bañeres, No 10, 03802 Alcoy, Spain
Departamento de Ingeniería Textil y Papelera, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Alcoy, Universitat Politècnica de València, PI. Ferrándiz Carbonell, s/n, 03801 Alcoy, Spain
Funding
CRUE-Universitat Politècnica de València
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