Modelling airflow, heat transfer and moisture transport around a standing human body by computational fluid dynamics

Abstract

In this study a combined computational model of a room with virtual thermal manikin with real dimensions and physiological shape was used to determine heat and mass transfer between human body and environment. Three dimensional fluid flow, temperature and moisture distribution, heat transfer (sensible and latent) between human body and ambient, radiation and convection heat transfer rates on human body surfaces, local and average convection coefficients and skin temperatures were calculated. The radiative heat transfer coefficient predicted for the whole-body was 4.6 W m(-2) K-1, closely matching the generally accepted whole-body value of 4.7 W m(-2) K-.(-1) Similarly, the whole-body natural convection coefficient for the manikin fell within the mid-range of previously published values at 3.8 W m(-2) K-1. Results of calculations were in agreement with available experimental and theoretical data in literature.