Wind Chill Effect & Thermal Insulation. Study of Wind Chill Effect and Thermal Insulation using Infrared Imaging

Abstract

Wind chill factor is explained as the cooling sensation due to the exposure of wind temperature environment. The wind chill factor depends on air temperature, wind velocity, and humidity. Wind chill poses serious health risks. Various wind chill index models are given in the literature. In order to understand the wind chill effect, it is important to understand the phenomenon of heat transfer. There are three modes of heat transfer namely conduction, convection and radiation. The convective mode of heat transfer is most dominant in the case of wind chill. BS-EN 342 and ISO 11079:2007 (E) defines the clothing insulation requirements. Preliminary experiments using infrared thermography in cold room at The Arctic University of Norway demonstrates higher heat transfer under wind chill conditions with the means of infrared imaging. The experiments were also conducted to measure the relative required insulation of winter jackets, summer jackets, and sweaters via infrared imaging.