Performance Analysis of Heat Transfer and User Thermal Comfort on Latent Heat Treatment of Scald Wound Based on Spray Cooling

Spray cooling has been proved to be an effective method for treating scald. However, enhancing its cooling effectiveness and improving user’s thermal comfort are the key factors for its practical implementation. In this study, numerical simulation with computational fluid dynamics software and experimental testing, and subjective questionnaire surveys. Factors influencing the heat removal efficiency of spray cooling for scald treatment and the user’s perception under spray cooling conditions were studied. The results showed that spray temperature had a significant impact on cooling efficiency. The distance between the spray and skin, mass flow rate, and spray medium also had noticeable effects. Additionally, the influence of spray cooling on thermal sensation and thermal comfort under different spray temperatures was investigated. By introducing a “temperature correction coefficient”, thermal sensation data closer to scald conditions were obtained. Experimental results demonstrated that compared to splashing, spray cooling exhibited better cooling effectiveness and comfort feelings. Using the Predicted Mean Vote and Thermal Comfortable Vote as indicators and considering both cooling effectiveness and human thermal comfort, the optimal cooling temperature for females was determined to be 13.1 °C and for males 13.5 °C under scald conditions.