Heat Loss and Exergy Flow through Respiration of the Human Body under Different Meteorological Conditions

Abstract

In this study, monthly total heat loss (evaporative and convective heat losses) and exergy flow that occur as a result of respiration were determined for human bodies in states of light and heavy activity levels, and comparisons of the results obtained were made according to different meteorological conditions and regions. For this purpose, seven different climate zones (CZ-1, CZ-2, CZ-3, CZ-4, CZ-5, CZ-6 and CZ-7) in Turkey were selected. Meteorological parameters such as atmospheric temperature, atmospheric pressure and relative humidity were used for energy and exergy analyses. According to the obtained results, total heat loss and exergy flow through respiration of the human body demonstrated considerable variations seasonally depending on the climate zones. The highest heat loss and exergy flow values were determined in the region of Continental climate (CZ-2), while the lowest heat loss and exergy flow values were obtained in the region of Mediterranean climate (CZ-5). For a human body engaging in light activity in a hot climate zone, the exhaled air temperature, specific humidity and relative humidity values were determined as 35.11 ^oC, 0.0333 kg H₂O/kg dry air and 91.3%, respectively.  

Keywords

• Climate zone; Environmental differences; Exergy flow; Human physiology; Metabolism; Meteorological Conditions; Respiratory heat loss

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