Int. J. of Thermal & Environmental Engineering
Volume 9, No. 1 (2015) 41-46
*
Corresponding author. Tel.: +234)8035050573
E-mail: kunlemusa@yahoo.com
© 2015 International Association for Sharing Knowledge and Sustainability
DOI: 10.5383/ijtee.09.01.006
41
Application of Software for the Prediction of Heat Loss in
Outdoor Condition during Physical Activity in Nigeria
A. I. Musa
a*
, S.O. Ismaila
b
, M.A. Waheed
b
and T.M.A. Olayanju
c
a
Mechanical Engineering Department, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, P.M.B. 2210, Abeokuta, Nigeria 110001
b
Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria 110001
c
Agricultural Engineering Department, Federal University of Agriculture, P.M.B. 2240, Abeokuta, Nigeria 110001
Abstract
The human body works to convert energy to provide desired thermal comfort level. This study developed a friendly-user
software that is capable of determine and predict correctly the heat loss of a human being working in an outdoor
environment. This task was with the use of mathematical model based on the conceptual heat balance equation of the
human-environment interaction. There is lacks of computational simulation with user-friendly interfaces to simulating
human body physiological responses in outdoor environment reference to the existing outdoor physical and
physiological processes mathematical model. This study developed a simulation processes based on the mathematical
model reported to determine the heat value, physical sweat rate production and predict the stored energy of human being
working in an outdoor environment. This simulation presented was based on the 2
nd
law of thermodynamics.
Keywords: Outdoor, Human, Software, Energy, Environment, Model, Heat balance.
1. Introduction
Thermal comfort is the condition of mind that expresses
satisfaction with the thermal environment and is assessed by
subjective evaluation [1- 4], with no preference to warm or
cooler conditions [2]. The concepts of outdoor thermal
environment are complex and heterogeneous in nature.
People working in an outdoor environment are exposed to a
range of conditions. There six basic parameters that is of great
importance to this study; these are air temperature (T
a
),radiant
temperature (T
r
), relative humidity (RH), wind speed (v),
human activity (metabolism), and clothing worn [5]. These
parameters played a vital role in determine the condition of
any human being working in an outdoor environment.
The main objectives of this study is to develop a friendly-user
software that is capable of determine and predict correctly the
heat loss of a human being working in an outdoor
environment. The task was with the use of mathematical
model based on the conceptual heat balance equation of the
human-environment interaction. For human being to maintain
heat balance with desired thermal environment, the internal
temperature (core temperature) must be approximately 37
o
C.
Hence, the human body responds dynamically by keeping a
constant core temperature in a dynamic environment.
Thermal comfort is maintained when the heat generated by
human metabolism is allowed to dissipate, thus maintaining
thermal equilibrium with the surroundings. The heat
generated involves the body, heat transfer and heat storage
[5]. The generated he in the body is as a result of metabolic
activity (M), which offers the energy to perform the physical
activity. The heat transfer is achieved through conduction
(K), convention (C), radiation (R), and evaporation (E) [5].
While the rate of heat storage is the rate of heat production
and heat loss. If the body attains heat balance, the rate of heat
storage would be zero [5].
Cheng and Ng [6] reported the broad application of concept
and equipment used in biometeorology which has yielded a
vast number of research on outdoor thermal comfort in