Internal Heat Transfer

This section describes the internal heat transfer model.

Generally, the heat flux is directed from inside the body to the peripheral regions. This heat transfer is called internal heat transfer. The border to the environment is the skin. The heat transfer is characterized by heat conduction and convection.

Heat conduction between two elements i and i+1 of a segment j is given by:

Q˙CONDi,j=RCONDi,j(Ti,jTi+1,j)
(30 31)

The conductivities RCOND(W/K) between the different shells are listed in the following table:

Segment Core - Muscle Muscle - Fat Fat - Skin

Head

4.650

9.070

15.350

Torso

1.690

6.450

18.260

Upper arm

0.843

2.790

8.373

Forearm

0.843

2.790

8.373

Hand

2.835

5.580

5.580

Thigh

1.833

4.920

17.619

Lower leg

1.222

3.280

11.746

Foot

2.935

10.000

8.085

Heat is transferred between body parts through the transport of blood in a circulatory system. The blood extracts the heat from the warmer regions of the body and releases it to the colder regions.

Heat transfer from one element of a segment to the corresponding element in the next segment is calculated as:

Q˙BLOODi,j=V˙BLOODi,jcp,BLOODρBLOOD(TBLOODTi,j)
(30 31)

The density of blood is assumed to be 1111 kg/m3. The volumetric flow rate of blood varies according to the individual segments. Each body element has a base volumetric flow rate V˙BLOOD,BAS(cm3/s) that is listed in the following table:

Segment Core Muscle Fat Skin

Head

13.330

0.075

0.033

0.400

Torso

64.400

1.777

0.638

0.583

Upper arm

0.048

0.086

0.022

0.035

Forearm

0.048

0.086

0.022

0.035

Hand

0.014

0.007

0.007

0.277

Thigh

0.183

0.308

0.067

0.238

Lower leg

0.122

0.206

0.044

0.158

Foot

0.021

0.004

0.011

0.417

In addition to the constant base values, the blood volumetric flow rates of the skin and muscle shell can change due to physical activity or thermoregulation. The blood volumetric flow rates of the core and fat, however, always have the same base value.