Title: Exergetic issues of thermoregulation physiology in different climates

Authors: Mateja Dovjak; Masanori Shukuya; Aleš Krainer

Addresses: Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Jamova cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia ' Department of Restoration Ecology and Built Environment, Tokyo City University, 3–3–1 Ushikubo–Nishi, Tsuzuki–ku, Yokohama 224–8551, Japan ' Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Jamova cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract: The purpose of the paper is to analyse the physiology of thermoregulation in various climate types using human body exergy balance model where mutual influence of environmental parameters and personal factors are considered. Two virtual persons with different metabolic rates and effective clothing insulations were exposed to selected climate conditions. Human body exergy balance (hBExB) was calculated with software developed by Hideo Asada Rev 2010. Results showed that climate conditions in combination with metabolic rate and effective clothing insulation had large influence on every part of hBExB. Thermally comfortable conditions with PMV index closer to 0 did not always result in the lowest possible hbExC rate. The value of hbExC rate strongly depends on environmental parameters as well as on metabolic rate and effective clothing insulation. Understanding the mutual influence of environmental parameters and personal factors on hBExB is a key factor for identifying recommendations for healthy, comfortable and stimulative conditions.

Keywords: thermoregulation physiology; human body exergy balance; climate types; environmental parameters; personal factors; personal health; comfort; performance efficiency; recommendations; metabolic rates; clothing insulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2015.071558

International Journal of Exergy, 2015 Vol.17 No.4, pp.412 - 432

Received: 15 May 2014
Accepted: 08 Jul 2014
Published online: 01 Sep 2015 *

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