Abstract
Conventional gloves partially insulate against heat transfer from a hot external environment. They also prevent metabolic heat generated by the human body from escaping. Thus, gloves are a source of heat buildup and heat stress in workers. Heat stress can lead to hyperthermia. Described herein is a glove that cools using a carbon nanotube (CNT) fabric micro-liner and forced convection from a fan. A cold sink is assumed to be located in the glove to cool the convection air. This glove is called an active textile glove. CNT fabric has high thermal conductivity in the plane of the fabric, low thermal conductivity through its thickness, and a large surface area for convection cooling. Thus, the active textile glove can transfer heat from the hand to cooler air in the environment. This paper simulates the performance of a CNT-cooled glove using simple theoretical heat transfer models. Cooling was also demonstrated by testing the glove using a hot plate. Forced convection was found to provide the greatest cooling effect, with it working in synergy with the CNT fabric which aids in spreading heat. CNT fabric also acts as a shield from environmental dangers. The fabric is flame resistant, attenuates radio frequency waves, and prevents smoke particles and toxic chemicals from entering the glove. Testing illustrates the shielding properties of CNT fabric.
Highlights
Controlling heat transfer through composite fabric layers is important when it comes to the personal protection of firefighters (FFs), first responders, industrial workers, and other professionals
To determine the performance of the carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet layer and fan, the model is initially simulated in MATLAB without the CNT layer and cooling system
A commercial glove was modified by adding a narrow CNT channel to flow air into the glove and a fan for cooling
Summary
Controlling heat transfer through composite fabric layers is important when it comes to the personal protection of firefighters (FFs), first responders, industrial workers, and other professionals. There has been significant prior research on modeling the heat transfer processes in clothing used in high temperature environments. Das et al [1] performed a theoretical prediction of heat transfer through multi-layer clothing, with a consideration of air gaps in different fabric layers. Guan et al [2] investigated the transfer of water in a human clothing system when the human body perspires constantly in a radiation heat environment. Understanding the research of Guan et al on the mass transfer generated by human body perspiration in the clothing system is crucial when it comes to simulating clothing thermal protection and thermal physiology. Many earlier studies looked at specific moisture transfer methods and specifics in clothing, but they did not take into account the impact of liquid sweating or the external high-temperature environment.
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