Design of a microclimate ventilation system

Abstract

[Abstract]: Apart from commercial users, the Singapore Civil Defense Force and the Singapore Armed Forces use protective garments for protection against chemical and biological hazards. The use of protective clothing generally increases the risk of heat stress and hyperthermia by impairing the capacity for evaporative heat exchange from the body to the environment. Local studies have shown effective working time in these protective suits to be unacceptable short. Current microclimate cooling strategies adopted fall short of their objectives. Until a more suitable imported system could be used in the tropical climate with high humidity level of more than 90 per cent, there is a need for an interim solution that is highly affordable yet more effective than the current cooling systems in use. The Microclimate Ventilation System proposed in this report was able to use with an entire family of filters and combinations of desiccant cartridges for protection against particulates, toxic gases and vapours. The conditioned air with humidity level below 20 degree Celsius was supplied to the user to provide some respite. The recommendations for further improvement and research on the design of the microclimate ventilation were also listed in the report.