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Modeling Firefighter Apparel with Integrated Carbon Nanotube Fabric Layers for Cooling

Hou, Xiaoda
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1627667847579806

Abstract Details

2021, MS, University of Cincinnati, Engineering and Applied Science: Mechanical Engineering.
Firefighters (FF) face high temperature conditions fighting structural and wildland fires. There are two main sources of heat that the FF must be protected against: one is environmental external heat; the other is metabolic internal heat. FF also wear thermally insulating apparel that shields against external heat, but traps metabolic heat. The external and internal heat and the insulating apparel together cause heat stress to build up that can cause heart attacks in FF. The objective of this thesis is therefore to design apparel to better address the competing requirements on one hand to shield the FF from external heat, and on the other hand to dissipate internal heat. The approach taken to develop improved apparel is to use carbon nanotube (CNT) fabric as a layer in firefighter apparel to cool the firefighter. CNT fabric has high thermal conductivity in-plane and low thermal conductivity through the thickness. This directionality in thermal conductivity can be taken advantage of in the design of FF apparel. Typical apparel for FF has low thermal conductivity in all directions which reduces the external heat entering the garment. However, the typical apparel also reduces heat dissipation from the body. CNT fabric can improve this situation. The modeling of FF apparel in this thesis includes theoretical mathematical heat transfer models constructed in MATLAB both for FF gloves and an underlayer shirt. The heat transfer algorithm developed contains heat conduction, heat convection, heat radiation, and evaporation processes. By constructing this simulation model, the thermal performance of gloves and garments with integrated CNT fabric can be predicted. Modeling provides a basis for determining the optimal thickness and design of the fabric used in glove and garment. The simulation results show that CNT fabric spreads heat in the plane of the fabric, and through the thickness of the fabric. However, water evaporation may provide the greatest cooling from fabric, especially with forced convection. Particles such as granulated activated carbon or silicon can also be incorporated into the CNT fabric to increase thermal conductivity and capillarity. Testing on a hot plate demonstrated heat spreading and cooling by the CNT fabric. The cooling provided by a garment depends on the environment in which the FF is working. The temperature gradient between the FF and environment, air humidity, and air flow strongly affect the cooling. Durability, safety and cost of CNT fabric are also considered in a preliminary way. This thesis thus produced a basic approach and algorithm for modeling cooling in composited CNT fabric. The model incorporates key environmental and material variables related to garment design and shows that CNT fabric enhances the thermal performance of traditional fabric materials and is a candidate for use in FF apparel to reduce heat stress.
Mark Schulz, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Milind Jog, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Woo Kyun Kim, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Ashley Kubley, M.F.A. (Committee Member)
87 p.
Mechanical Engineering
CNT Fabric; Heat Transfer; Simulation Model; Firefighter Glove; Firefighter Garment

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hou, X. (2021). Modeling Firefighter Apparel with Integrated Carbon Nanotube Fabric Layers for Cooling [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1627667847579806

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hou, Xiaoda. Modeling Firefighter Apparel with Integrated Carbon Nanotube Fabric Layers for Cooling. 2021. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1627667847579806.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hou, Xiaoda. "Modeling Firefighter Apparel with Integrated Carbon Nanotube Fabric Layers for Cooling." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1627667847579806

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.