Development of a Simulation Model to Evaluate Burn Damage

Abstract

Fuel cell vehicles (FCV) using hydrogen have been researched and developed recently. In the case of a fire accident involving an FCV, a hydrogen jet flame is generated instantaneously. It is necessary to evaluate the thermal effect of the hydrogen jet flame on the human body surface. In this study, a one-dimensional burn injury simulation model with a 3 layers of skin model is considered to evaluate burn damage. The hyperbolic governing equation of bioheat transfer omitting blood, metabolic and external heat source effects is applied to predict the temperature profile in the tissue. The Arrhenius type damage equation is used to evaluate burn damage. Thermal properties of human skin stated in ISO13506 are used as a standard value. The simulation model is verified assuming a case of receiving a large amount of heat in a short time. From a safety point of view it is found that small thermal relaxation/lag time is suitable.