• Title/Summary/Keyword: hot and humid conditions

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Challenges in Selecting an Appropriate Heat Stress Index to Protect Workers in Hot and Humid Underground Mines

  • Roghanchi, Pedram;Kocsis, Karoly C.
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.10-16
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    • 2018
  • Background: A detailed evaluation of the underground mine climate requires extensive measurements to be performed coupled to climatic modeling work. This can be labor-intensive and time-consuming, and consequently impractical for daily work comfort assessments. Therefore, a simple indicator like a heat stress index is needed to enable a quick, valid, and acceptable evaluation of underground climatic conditions on a regular basis. This can be explained by the unending quest to develop a "universal index," which has led to the proliferation of many proposed heat stress indices. Methods: The aim of this research study is to discuss the challenges in identifying and selecting an appropriate heat stress index for thermal planning and management purposes in underground mines. A method is proposed coupled to a defined strategy for selecting and recommending heat stress indices to be used in underground metal mines in the United States and worldwide based on a thermal comfort model. Results: The performance of current heat stress indices used in underground mines varies based on the climatic conditions and the level of activities. Therefore, carefully selecting or establishing an appropriate heat stress index is of paramount importance to ensure the safety, health, and increasing productivity of the underground workers. Conclusion: This method presents an important tool to assess and select the most appropriate index for certain climatic conditions to protect the underground workers from heat-related illnesses. Although complex, the method presents results that are easy to interpret and understand than any of the currently available evaluation methods.

The Effects of Skin Pigmentation on Physiological Factors of Thermoregulation and Grazing Behaviour of Dairy Goats in a Hot and Humid Climate

  • Darcan, Nazan Koluman;Cankaya, Soner;Karakok, Serap Goncu
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.22 no.5
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    • pp.727-731
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    • 2009
  • The aim of this study was to understand the effects of skin pigmentation on physiological parameters of thermoregulation and grazing behaviour of dairy goats in a hot and humid climate. The study used 26 crossbred Saanen yearling goats (95% Saanen+5% Local Hair Breed). The animals were raised at semi-intensive private farms in Adana (36 59'N, 35 18'E). Groups were selected 2 d before the start of observations. Goats were categorized as predominantly pigmented (P) skin and unpigmented (UP) skin. All observations and measurements were collected on grassland during the grazing period of June and July 2007 (60 d). Air temperature and relative humidity were recorded at 10 min intervals by a portable data logger. The physiological data (rectal temperature, respiration and pulse rate, and skin temperatures from head and udder) were recorded twice weekly in the morning (07:00-08:00); at midday (13:00-14:00); and in the evening (18:00-19:00). Additionally, the activity of the animals was observed and classified (eating, ruminating, drinking, standing, walking, lying) for 12 h during the day twice weekly, using a portable camera system linked directly to a computer. Panting behaviour was also observed. According to the THI values, the experimental goats were subjected to stressful conditions. The pigmented goats had significantly lower rectal temperatures (39.68 vs. $29.89^{\circ}C$), pulse rate (74.08 vs. 84.10 beat/min) and respiration rate (65.65 vs. 88.23 breath/min.) compared with unpigmented goats at midday when the THI exceeded 92. The rectal, head and udder temperatures, pulse and respiration rates of the non-pigmented group exceeded $40^{\circ}C$, $37^{\circ}C$, $37.5^{\circ}C$, 84 beats/min and 78 breaths/min, respectively. Higher activity was observed among pigmented compared with unpigmented goats. Unpigmented goats grazed (4.3 vs. 5.6 h), ruminated (2.0 vs. 2.4 h), and stood (0.8 vs. 1.2 h) less, but lay down (2.2 vs. 1.8 h) more than pigmented goats. The data obtained in this experiment support the hypothesis that unpigmented goats are more adversely affected by climatic stress, likely due to their decreased activity and increased water consumption, as demonstrated by previous studies.

Changes in physicochemical characteristics and nutritional values of soybean, meju, and doenjang by varying sowing periods

  • Son, Yang-Ju;Kang, Sun-Hee;Ko, Jong-Min;Lee, Yeon-Kyung;Hwang, In-Kyeong;Kang, Hee-Jin
    • Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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    • v.49 no.1
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    • pp.56-62
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    • 2017
  • The purpose of this study was to determine how seeding time changes the properties of soybean products meju and doenjang. Soybeans were seeded on the last day of May (5L), on the mid day of June (6M), and on the last day of June (6L), respectively. The 5L soybeans experienced a distinguishing hot and humid climate at the ripening stage, and these climate conditions resulted in smaller seed sizes. Fermentation briskly progressed in all doenjang until 120 days, and the 5L doenjang exhibited the lowest fermentation efficiency. The 5L soybeans showed the highest GABA, polyphenol contents, and ACE inhibitory activity, and the 6M soybeans showed the highest radical scavenging activity among the groups tested. In doenjang, the functional properties generally increased as the aging time approached the $120^{th}$ day, and the 6M doenjang showed the highest functional properties at the $120^{th}$ day. Therefore, 6M soybeans had the most appropriate characteristics when producing doenjang.

Comparisons of Thermal-moisture Properties in Combination of 3D spacer and Polyurethane(PU) Foam for Mold Brassiere Cups (몰드 브래지어 컵의 제작을 위한 3D 스페이서 패브릭과 폴리우레탄(PU) 폼 조합에 따른 열·수분 전달 특성 비교)

  • Lee, Hyun Young;Park, Huiju
    • Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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    • v.24 no.2
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    • pp.285-295
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    • 2015
  • To identify optimized thermal properties of mold brassiere cup for improved thermal comfort during summer, we compared the thermal resistance and the water vapor permeability of Polyurethane (PU) foam, 3D spacer fabric and the two combined materials of the PU foam and the 3D spacer fabric. Four experimental mold brassieres were made of the materials for wearing test. Six women in their twenties evaluated the wearing sensation in the hot and humid environment. The changes in microclimate temperature and humidity while wearing test brassiere cups were measured. Results indicate that thermal resistance increased as more PU foam were combined, while the water vapor permeability was higher as the content of the 3D spacer fabric increased at thickness of 18mm and over. However, in the wear test, the PU foam brassiere was the most preferred in all ambient conditions due to its soft, flexible and smooth texture, despite its high thermal resistance and low water vapor permeability. This indicates that the textures of mold foams are more dominant properties than thermal properties for mold foams in determining the wear comfort of mold brassieres.

Study on Air Washer using Underground Water in the Subway Stations (지하철 역사 지하수를 이용한 에어와셔에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Dong-Gyu;Kim, Hoe-Youl;Chung, Yong-Hyun;Kim, Jong-Ryul;Kum, Jong-Soo
    • Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.604-610
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    • 2010
  • Busan subway transportation system has been established a key role in the society last 20 years. However many people are suffering from hot and humid environment at subway station and platform due to deteriorated ventilation system as well as insufficient air conditioning system in existing stations and platforms. As a result, these systems require revitalization. There is about 5400tons of low temperature underground water is generated from subway stations every day. By using this method and air washer we are trying to lower the temperature. Air washer is commonly used for removing humidity but in this experiment it will be used as air precooling. This research offers result of experiment using air washer system to lower the temperature in large spaces like subway station. The experiment result has shown when L/G was the same, at condition which water spray temperature at $18^{\circ}C$ resulting inlet and outlet temperature difference larger. Also, in the same water spray temperature conditions, larger L/G condition showed a greater temperature difference. LCC evaluation of both system were shown that air washer system of using underground water will save 53% of the initial cost than refrigeration system, and save 75% of operating cost.

LED Delamination Evaluating Method by Thermal Shock Test (열충격시험을 통한 LED 박리 평가법에 관한 연구)

  • Jang, In-Hyeok;Han, Ji-Hoon;Ko, Min-ji;Lee, Young-Joo;Lim, Hong-Woo
    • Journal of Advanced Engineering and Technology
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    • v.6 no.2
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    • pp.121-124
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    • 2013
  • This paper proposed a new concept of estimating method for LED(light-emitting diode) delamination with high accuracy. Usually, The LED is composed several materials which are LED chips, gold wire, phosphor, epoxy resin, adhesive, reflector and lead frame. These different materials are usually delaminated in a trouble conditions which are huge temperature difference, hot and humid or mechanical shocked. When the components are delaminated, a luminance will be lost, moisture be absorbed easily and a thermal resistance be increased attendantly. As a conventional method to estimate a delamination of LEDs, a solution immersing method is usually used in a field of LED manufacturing companies or researching institutes. This method has an advantage of simplicity but it is only shown that the existence of delamination or not. In this paper, we have proposed an estimating method for LEDs delamination using the polishing and the electron microscope. New proposed method has shown the result of confirming delamination without destruction and enabled quantitative analysis for LED delamination.

Seasonal Variation in Carcass Characteristics of Korean Cattle Steers

  • Piao, M.Y.;Baik, M.
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.28 no.3
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    • pp.442-450
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    • 2015
  • Climate temperature affects animal production. This study was conducted to evaluate whether climatic conditions affect beef carcass characteristics of Korean cattle steers. The monthly carcass characteristics of Korean cattle steers (n = 2,182,415) for 8 yr (2006 through 2013) were collected from the Korean Institute for Animal Products Quality Evaluation. Daily climate temperature (CT) and relative humidity (RH) data were collected from the Korean Meteorological Administration. Weather conditions in South Korea during summer were hot and humid, with a maximum temperature of $28.4^{\circ}C$ and a maximum RH of 91.4%. The temperature-humidity index (THI), calculated based on CT and RH, ranges from 73 to 80 during summer. Winter in South Korea was cold, with a minimum temperature of $-4.0^{\circ}C$ and a wind-chill temperature of $-6.2^{\circ}C$. Both marbling score (MS) and quality grade (QG) of Korean cattle steer carcasses were generally best (p<0.05) in autumn and worst in spring. A correlation analysis showed that MS and QG frequencies were not associated (p>0.05) with CT. Yield grade (YG) of Korean cattle steer carcasses was lowest (p<0.05) in winter (November to January) and highest in spring and summer (May to September). A correlation analysis revealed that YG frequency was strongly correlated ($r{\geq}0.71$; p<0.01) with CT and THI values. The rib eye area, a positive YG parameter, was not associated with CT. Backfat thickness (BT), a negative YG factor, was highest in winter (November and December). The BT was strongly negatively correlated ($r{\leq}-0.74$; p<0.01) with CTs. Therefore, the poor YG during winter is likely due in part to the high BT. In conclusion, YG in Korean cattle steer carcasses was worst in winter. QGs were not associated with winter or summer climatic conditions.

A Study on the Evaluation Methods of Indoor Thermal Comfort Index in Building (실내(室內) 온열환경지표(溫熱環境指標)의 평가방법에 관한 연구)

  • Jeong, Chang-Won;Horikoshi, Tetsumi;Yoon, In;Choi, Young-Sik
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.11-21
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    • 1999
  • This objective of this paper is to investigate the evaluation and indiction of human thermal comfort in building environment. The issue of defining the boundaries of acceptable thermal comfort conditions in buildings and urban may have significant implication for building design and also may have urban design by climate considerations. And then it is to apply the thermal comfort condition to environmental design by using passive methods in Korea. Since 1920. architects have conducted studies to measure thermal comfort in houses under hot and humid conditions, while industrial hygienists have studied the effects of temperature and humidity on the performance of factory workers. Thermal comfort can be influenced by many variables. This paper conducted to review the previous researches and the human heat balance equation, and to analyse in order to reveal the meaning and usage of the thermal comfort index in two traditional essays, Fanger's PMV and Gagge's ET* Their comfort indexes compared with each other. They were based on human heat balance equation and psychological and physiological responses in the laboratory tests. The researchers and the architectural engineers using thermal comfort index shall be careful in decided the use of indexes and be necessary to recognize the value concept of the design criteria for thermal comfort. Therefore, The opinion of the authors is that different comfort standards have to apply for each building and urban with different climatic conditions.

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Effects of Design and Material Change of Firefighter Station Uniform on Thermal Physiological and Subjective Responses (소방 기동복의 디자인과 소재 변화가 착용자의 온열생리 반응 및 주관적 감각에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Hee-Eun;Kim, Seong-Suk;Son, Su-Young
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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    • v.44 no.4
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    • pp.776-787
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    • 2020
  • This study investigated physiological and subjective responses to different types of firefighter station uniforms made with various designs and materials. Six healthy males participated in this study that consisted of 20 min of rest, 30 min of treadmill exercise, and 30 min of recovery in a hot and humid environment (34℃ and 65%RH). The experimental clothing conditions were as follows. 1) a fitted T-shirt and trouser made of 100% polyester (FC-Uniform), and 2) flame retardant T-shirts made of acrylic and cotton as well as trousers with aramid and polyester, designed for overfitting (Control). There were no significant differences in the body temperature, and sweat rate between the two conditions; however, the heart rate with the FC-Uniform was significantly lower than Control (p=.025). The clothing microclimate temperature at the chest of the FC-Uniform was significantly lower than the Control (p=.037), and a difference of 1℃ was maintained until the recovery was complete. There were no significant differences in the subjective responses; however, participants experienced a humidity sensation faster with FC-Uniform in the recovery phase. The results indicate that changes in the design and material of firefighter station uniforms may have a positive influence on reducing the thermal stress of firefighters.

Fermentation characteristics, chemical composition and microbial community of tropical forage silage under different temperatures

  • Li, Dongxia;Ni, Kuikui;Zhang, Yingchao;Lin, Yanli;Yang, Fuyu
    • Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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    • v.32 no.5
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    • pp.665-674
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    • 2019
  • Objective: In tropical regions, as in temperate regions where seasonality of forage production occurs, well-preserved forage is necessary for animal production during periods of forage shortage. However, the unique climate conditions (hot and humid) and forage characteristics (high moisture content and low soluble carbohydrate) in the tropics make forage preservation more difficult. The current study used natural ensiling of tropical forage as a model to evaluate silage characteristics under different temperatures ($28^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$). Methods: Four tropical forages (king grass, paspalum, white popinac, and stylo) were ensiled under different temperatures ($28^{\circ}C$ and $40^{\circ}C$). After ensiling for 30 and 60 days, samples were collected to examine the fermentation quality, chemical composition and microbial community. Results: High concentrations of acetic acid (ranging from 7.8 to 38.5 g/kg dry matter [DM]) were detected in silages of king grass, paspalum and stylo with relatively low DM (ranging from 23.9% to 30.8% fresh material [FM]) content, acetic acid production was promoted with increased temperature and prolonged ensiling. Small concentrations of organic acid (ranging from 0.3 to 3.1 g/kg DM) were detected in silage of white popinac with high DM content (50.8% FM). The microbial diversity analysis indicated that Cyanobacteria originally dominated the bacterial community for these four tropical forages and was replaced by Lactobacillus and Enterobacter after ensiling. Conclusion: The results suggested that forage silages under tropical climate conditions showed enhanced acetate fermentation, while high DM materials showed limited fermentation. Lactobacillus and Enterobacter were the most probable genera responsible for tropical silage fermentation.