Cooling Suit for First Responders

急救人员的冷却服

• 批准号: 7909797
• 负责人: GIRISH SRINIVAS
• 金额: $ 77.53万
• 依托单位: TDA RESEARCH, INC.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-09-01 至 2012-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/7909797
• 关键词: Cooling; Suit; First; Responders

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): When responding to a chemical spill or other hazardous cleanup operation, first responders must frequently wear a level A hazardous materials suit. These suits protect the first responder from chemical exposure by completely sealing the wearer against external vapors and liquids. Because the suits are sealed, a fresh air supply is required which is typically provided by a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). In total, the SCBA/impermeable suit provides contaminant free air and a barrier to the chemical hazard. Unfortunately, because the suits are sealed, they quickly get very hot and humid. Given the fact that a first responder can be in the suit from 30-60 min, overheating is not just a source of discomfort, but is a real hazard to the health of the first responder. In addition, perspiration condenses on the inside of the faceplate obscuring vision, and the heat/humidity buildup in the suit severely limits the time that can be spent in the suit without risking heat exhaustion. TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) proposes to develop a lightweight, portable system that will both cool and dehumidify the air circulated through a hazmat suit. TDA will use a heat exchanger to transfer heat from the inside of the suit to the dirty environment, but keeps the clean and contaminated air streams separate. The dry (about 15% RH) clean air is cooled to about 770F and returned to the first responder. The cool, dry air is distributed to the hands, head, and feet within the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with a lightweight fabric, internal duct system. In the Phase I project, we will design and build a test heat exchanger to demonstrate our concept. In addition, we will perform a system analysis using a 2D software and a finite element analysis. The design analysis will form the basis of the prototype fabrication in the Phase II project. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: This research will allow first responders to work in hot and humid environments for long periods of time without being subject to the deleterious effects of over heating. The successful development of a cooling suit will find applications in other agencies of the U.S. Government.

描述（由申请人提供）：在应对化学品泄漏或其他危险清理作业时，急救人员必须经常穿着 A 级危险材料防护服。这些防护服通过完全密封佩戴者免受外部蒸汽和液体的影响，保护急救人员免受化学品暴露。由于防护服是密封的，因此需要新鲜空气供应，通常由自给式呼吸器 (SCBA) 提供。总的来说，SCBA/防渗服可提供无污染的空气和化学危害的屏障。不幸的是，由于防护服是密封的，它们很快就会变得非常炎热和潮湿。鉴于急救人员可以穿着防护服 30-60 分钟，过热不仅会造成不适，而且对急救人员的健康构成真正的危害。此外，汗液会凝结在面罩内部，从而模糊视线，并且防护服中积聚的热量/湿度严重限制了在没有中暑风险的情况下可以在防护服中度过的时间。 TDA Research, Inc. (TDA) 提议开发一种轻型便携式系统，该系统可以对穿过危险品套装的空气进行冷却和除湿。 TDA 将使用热交换器将热量从防护服内部传递到肮脏的环境，但保持清洁和污染的气流分开。干燥（约 15% RH）的清洁空气被冷却至约 770°F 并返回至急救人员。凉爽、干燥的空气通过轻质织物内部管道系统分配到个人防护装备 (PPE) 内的手、头和脚。在第一阶段项目中，我们将设计和建造一个测试热交换器来展示我们的概念。此外，我们将使用 2D 软件和有限元分析进行系统分析。设计分析将构成第二阶段项目原型制造的基础。 公共健康相关性：这项研究将使急救人员能够在炎热和潮湿的环境中长时间工作，而不会受到过热的有害影响。冷却服的成功开发将在美国政府的其他机构中得到应用。