| Summary: |
The progressively increase of firefighters' Thermal Protective Clothing (TPC) has been highlighted as one of the key reasons behind the declining
trend of firefighters' on site injuries and fatalities. To further enhance thermal protection, advanced materials such as phase change materials (PCM)
have been integrated into firefighter's TPC, aiming to mitigate heat stress. A recent development includes the creation of a new vest composed of a
structure with a removable matrix of individual PCM pouches. The PCM-vest was designed to be worn over conventional firefighting suits. Further, it
underwent rigorous heat and flame standards tests, exhibiting significantly enhanced protection. However, challenges persist. For example, the nonuniform
distribution of the vest properties can trigger the appearance of hot spots between the pouches, which can jeopardize the vest thermal
performance. Additional research is necessary to ensure uniform temperature distribution within the vest and to optimize geometric factors that
impact water distribution, thereby mitigating the risk of skin burns. The vest's fit to the firefighter's body also requires further investigation,
particularly regarding the presence of heterogeneous air gaps in the microclimate. This project seeks to optimize the PCM-vest design through
enhanced modelling techniques. The goal is to gain deeper insights into complex interactions between geometrical features, material properties, and
the occurrence of injuries, thus taking a significant step forward in enhancing firefighter protection.
Predictive models will be used to study the effect of different combinations of materials (e.g., textiles and PCMs) for temperature management and
uniformity inside the protective vest. Furthermore, the predictive models will be developed and validated to predict transient heat transfer and water
distribution effects within the vest, considering different fits of the PCM-vest to the body. Several conf  |
Summary
The progressively increase of firefighters' Thermal Protective Clothing (TPC) has been highlighted as one of the key reasons behind the declining
trend of firefighters' on site injuries and fatalities. To further enhance thermal protection, advanced materials such as phase change materials (PCM)
have been integrated into firefighter's TPC, aiming to mitigate heat stress. A recent development includes the creation of a new vest composed of a
structure with a removable matrix of individual PCM pouches. The PCM-vest was designed to be worn over conventional firefighting suits. Further, it
underwent rigorous heat and flame standards tests, exhibiting significantly enhanced protection. However, challenges persist. For example, the nonuniform
distribution of the vest properties can trigger the appearance of hot spots between the pouches, which can jeopardize the vest thermal
performance. Additional research is necessary to ensure uniform temperature distribution within the vest and to optimize geometric factors that
impact water distribution, thereby mitigating the risk of skin burns. The vest's fit to the firefighter's body also requires further investigation,
particularly regarding the presence of heterogeneous air gaps in the microclimate. This project seeks to optimize the PCM-vest design through
enhanced modelling techniques. The goal is to gain deeper insights into complex interactions between geometrical features, material properties, and
the occurrence of injuries, thus taking a significant step forward in enhancing firefighter protection.
Predictive models will be used to study the effect of different combinations of materials (e.g., textiles and PCMs) for temperature management and
uniformity inside the protective vest. Furthermore, the predictive models will be developed and validated to predict transient heat transfer and water
distribution effects within the vest, considering different fits of the PCM-vest to the body. Several configurations of the vest matrix will be
manufactured and evaluated in experimental setups. Methodologies include constructing PCM-vest samples with highly conductive textiles, followed
by experimental validation and numerical analysis using Finite Element Method (FEM) approaches. The project also envisages to disseminate
findings through publications and presentations, to foster collaboration between research institutions and industry partners. |