Heat and Mass Transfer Project 1: Human Body Heat Balance

Project Overview

This project focuses on understanding and analyzing heat balance in the human body through theoretical study and computational modeling. Students will explore the fundamental principles of heat transfer mechanisms in the human body and their relationship to heat stress indices, developing a comprehensive understanding of thermoregulation principles.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the fundamental mechanisms of heat transfer in the human body
• Learn to analyze and evaluate each term in the human body heat balance equation
• Develop basic computational skills to model heat transfer processes
• Understand the relationship between environmental conditions and heat stress
• Apply engineering principles to biological systems

Project Description

Background

The human body maintains its core temperature through various heat transfer mechanisms. This thermal regulation is described by the heat balance equation: $$M-W=E+R+C+K+S$$ where M is metabolic heat production, W is mechanical work, E is evaporative heat loss, R is radiative heat exchange, C is convective heat exchange, K is conductive heat exchange, and S is heat storage. Understanding these components is crucial for evaluating human thermal comfort and heat stress.

Project Stages

1. Literature Review

• Research and summarize each component of the heat balance equation
• Study how each term is evaluated and calculated
• Investigate factors affecting each heat transfer mechanism
• Review common heat stress indices

2. Component Analysis

• Detailed study of each heat balance term:
• Metabolic heat production in different activities
• Evaporative heat loss mechanisms
• Radiative heat transfer with environment
• Convective heat transfer effects
• Conductive heat transfer significance
• Develop simple calculations for each component

3. Heat Stress Analysis

• Study various heat stress indices
• Understand environmental factors affecting heat stress
• Learn to calculate common indices like WBGT and Heat Stress Index
• Analyze the relationship between heat balance and heat stress

4. Case Study Development

• Select and analyze real-world scenarios
• Apply heat balance principles to specific situations
• Calculate heat stress indices for different conditions
• Propose recommendations for thermal comfort

Technical Requirements

• Basic understanding of heat transfer principles
• Basic calculation and analytical skills
• Ability to research and synthesize information

Deliverables

1. Comprehensive report including:

• Theoretical background of each heat transfer mechanism
• Detailed analysis of heat balance components
• Heat stress indices calculations and analysis
• Case study findings and recommendations

2. Presentation slides

Evaluation Criteria

• Report Quality (50%): Understanding of theoretical concepts, Quality of analysis and calculations
• Presentation (50%): Delivery, visual appeal, and depth of understanding

Bonus Challenges (Optional)

• Create a simple program for heat balance calculations
• Analyze heat stress in different climatic conditions
• Compare different heat stress indices
• Investigate the effect of clothing on heat balance
• Study special cases (athletes, industrial workers)

Recommended Reading

1. Human Thermal Environments: The Effects of Hot, Moderate, and Cold Environments on Human Health, Comfort, and Performance, Third Edition (Ken Parsons)
2. Principles of Environmental Physics: Plants, Animals, and the Atmosphere, Fourth Edition (John L. Monteith and Mike H. Unsworth)
3. Thermal Indices and Thermophysiological Modeling for Heat Stress (George Havenith and Dusan Fiala)
4. راهنمای ارزیابی تنشهای دمایی در محیط کار

Submission Guidelines

• Submission deadline: TBA
• Format: PDF report and presentation slides
• Groups of up to three members are allowed, provided each member’s contribution is documented clearly.
• For every project, only one group with the best performance will be selected to present.