Effectiveness of Two Portable Liquid-Cooled Undergarments in Reducing Heat Stress
Abstract
The auxiliary cooling provided by each of two portable liquid-cooled undergarments was directly measured on a life-sized sectional manikin. One undergarment (LCU 1) provided cooling over the torso area; the other (LCU 2) provided cooling over the torso and head areas. The liquid contained in both undergarments was cooled by circulating it through an ice-filled compartment (i. e., a heat exchanger). This manikin was dressed in a complete chemical protective (CW) suit in MOPP 4 configuration. Cooling rates (watts) were determined versus time for a completely wet (maximal sweating) skin condition during exposure to two hot environments. In a chamber environment of 45 deg C, the average torso cooling rate over the first hour for LCU 1 is about 94 watts which decreases to about 46 watts over the second hour of cooling; for LCU 2 the average torso and head cooling rates were 81 watts and 67 watts, over the first and second hours, respectively. Only about 20 watts of cooling was still being provided over the third hour of cooling by either portable liquid-cooled undergarment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA133174
Entities
People
- George F. Fonseca
Organizations
- United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine