Heat transfer through textile fabrics: mathematical model

M. I. Ismail
CanReactor Materials, Inc., Mississauga, P.O. Box 189, Ontario, L5M 2B8 Canada

A. S. A. Ammar and M. EI-Okeily

Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Egypt (Received April 1985)

Recently a wide range of materials is available in the form of fibres or fabrics for use in electrochemical reactors and other applications. The problem of heat transfer through fabric materials is theoretically solved-a model representing the plain weave fabrics is given, which facilitates the application of the heat transfer equations. As a result the effective thermal conductivity of fibrous materials in a fabric form, yarn form, or even in fibre form could be oredicted. Keywords: textile fabrics, heat transfer, thermal conductivity, polymer fibers

Introduction
If the fabric materials are not homogeneous, a temperature potential is developed normal to its surface and heat is transferred by conduction, convection and radiation through the interstitial gas. The thermal conductivity, determined by measuring temperature potentials, thickness, and heat flux, is therefore only an effective thermal conductivity, describing the effect of combined process of energy transfer. The overall thermal conductivity and the apparent density of some textile fabrics increases to a maximum and then decreases again.I The conductivity of textile fabrics of low density, corresponding to an airspace volume of about 90%, is practically independent of the component fibrefl The conductivity increases with the bulk density depending on the type of fibre used, a result that has been explored to determine the thermal conductivity of natural fibre. Several investigators 3 have described the thermal conductivity of a textile material as a fibre-air mixture. They postulate that the conductivity is given by
K = X ( V I K s + V.K,,) +

air, respectively. The first term of the right side of this equation describes an ideal model of a fabric construction whose fibres are totally parallel to the flow of heat, while the second term describes an ideal model of a fabric construction whose fibres are totally in series to the flow of heat (X and R are the parallel and series fractions). A special testing apparatus has been developed to determine fabric conductivity under varying conditions of temperature, ambient pressure, and biaxial tension and compression. The effect of compression stresses on the thermal conductivities of one group of fabrics were considered? The objective of the present work was to design a mathematical model that represents well the fabrics under normal conditions and at the same time the heat transfer equations that can easily be applied to it.

Procedure
A simple fabric structure is selected for this study, namely, the plain weave fabric, which is divided into similar and equal cells. The unit cell is illustrated in Figure l(a)-(c) in the planes X Y , X Z , and YZ, respectively. The application of the heat transfer equation is tried using three dimensional analysis in reference to the three Cartesian coordinates (X, Y, and Z). The transformation is achieved by the following steps:

y{ K, Ko \ V . K I + VsK..]

where the thermal conductivity K of a textile material is described by the volume fractions Vs and V. and the thermal conductivities Kr and K,, of the solid fibre and

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Appl. Math. Modelling, 1988, Vol. 12, A u g u s t

1988 Butterworth Publishers

Heat transfer through textile fabrics: 114, L Ismail, et al.

a-Element In ( ~ - Y) D,rece,o,~

I
_ _ _ _

L ~J

Writing the angle (00 in terms of the warp crimp C~, we rewrite the equation as
ab = e f = ZI = dl sec 106CI

(1) (2)

~ d

and its length (L0 is Li = Ii -- 2Si where

,

D SI = S '~' In the triangle (O]ih) the angle ~b~ is defined by

X

(3)

d2 if,, = tan- I:v,-D-~ d~

i

(4)

Using I~ = P~(I + CO, we rewrite equation (2) as

I
b. ElementI n ( Y - Z )

L2

' '

'1

Lt = P t ( l + Ci) - D t a n -1

d2
V'D 2 - d~

(5)

D,,'ect,on

c-Clement In (St- Z) Direction

The YZ-plane. The YZ section of the warp element in elliptical form is demonstrated by F i g u r e 3. The ellipse major axis is Z~, and the minor axis is d~. Only half of the ellipse belongs to the unit cell. The path is maximum at the center and equals Z~; it reduces gradually to become zero at the outer point, i.e., the yarn tangent. To account for such variations in the warp thickness, we consider an equivalent element of uniform thickness (t],eq), length (L0, and width (dJ2), where

(area of the elliptical cross section)

..[dl

/I,eq

=
"l'r

dl/2
(6)

x--]o
Figure I

= ~ d, sec 106V'~l

Fabricelement for heat transmission study

T r a n s f o r m a t i o n o f the warp e l e m e n t The X Z - p l a n e . The warp element in this plane is represented by abcd, as shown in Figure 2. The thickness ab of the element is given by ub = e f = Z] = dl sec Ot
wal,p Section In (y Z)
Flane

[-

dt

Equ;valent 1,4ater;M DisfP;bOtl'otl 'Unifot'm Thickness

tr,rt
._1

I
435

Figure 2

Warp element in XZ-plane

Figure 3 plane

Equivalent uniform thickness for warp element in YZ-

Appl. Math. Modelling, 1988, Vol. 12, August

Heat transfer through textile fabrics: M. L Ismail, et al.

The equivalent warp element in three dimensions is shown in Figure 4.
a "c k

Transformation of the weft element Following the same procedure, we obtain the equivalent weft element with uniform thickness (t2.e.), length (L2), and width (dJ2), shown in Figures 4-6:
dl L 2 = P : ( I +C2) - Dtan-'V,-D- 5 _ d { and t2:eq = -~d2 sec I 0 6 V ~
gr

//
WEF r

(7)

(8)

Transformation of the combined element (warp-up) The XZ-plane (Figure 5(a)). The XZ cross section 1 area (A,,.0 of the warp part of this element is a,.,. = area(cdjK) = area(die) + area(cljK) = area(Otmc + OicK - Oimj) 2 \ 2 J (Dd')'a
+ dl+ ~l 16 (9)
Ot

"b

where the small area (mdg) is neglected, and the angle ~, is

w

~, = tan_ 1 d2 Dd~

(I0)

K J c
Z
a- Wat'p
Element

Figure 5 Combined element (warp-up): (a) in XZ-plane; (b) in

YZ-plane

Hence,

A,,,~ = ~ (dl + D) 2 tan - ~----=---" 2(Dd01/2

d~

+4

(Dd,) la --~d2

(11)

is
t_ Iz
b-- Weft Element L2 ~t

and the equivalent warp thickness t..~ in the XZ-plane is

Aw.~ tw.r =

d2/2
1 (dl + 0 ) 2
!

d2

- 4

d2

tan- 2(DdO,/2 (12)

+ ~l[(Dd,)'/2-;d2]
while the area Ay. of the weft part is
x

As.. = ~(cross-sectional areaofthe weft thread) = g'rrd2

1 2

( 1 3)

Figure 4 Equivalent warp and weft element in (X, Y, Z) directions

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Heat transfer through textile fabrics: M. L Ismail, et al.

( Y - Z) Plane ( X -

Z)

Plane

and the equivalent thickness of the weft part is Afx _ ~tsx - ~

~d.

(14)

(a)

The YZ-plane. As in the XZ-plane the same procedure is applied, noticing that the cross section of the warp part in the YZ is similar to that of the weft part in the XZ-plane, and the cross section of the weft in the YZ is similar to that of the warp in the XZ-plane. Thus, the equivalent thickness of the warp t,.~ is obtained from the expression of t:x, and t:y is obtained from that of t,.x by interchanging d, and d2. Hence, t.,.y =Ed 4 I
and (15)

ill IIIlil
(f)

1 (d2 + D ) 2

d,

ts,. = ~
+

dl
(Da_,)

tan- 2(Dd=)l/2
(16)

J_t
Figure 6 Equivalent uniform thickness for combined element (warp-up)

Figure 6(a) and (b) represents the nonuniform distribution of the material for the combined element (warpup) in both XZ- and YZ-planes, respectively. Figure 6(c) and (d) represents the equivalent uniform distribution for the warp part in the XZ- and the YZ-planes, while Figure 6(e) and (f) represents the equivalent uniform distribution for the weft element in both planes. Now, considering the general case t,,.x ~ t.~,, the equivalent warp part in the three dimensions is still nonuniform, as shown in Figure 7(a). This part of the element is transformed into an equivalent one with a uniform thickness, shown in Figure 7(b), with an equivalent thickness t,..eq equal to the arithmetic mean of the two thicknesses t ..... and tx~.; thus l,,.eq = (t,.x + t,.;.) (17)

w3-Warp part ,In The Three w;th Non - Unttol'tn

Dir'.ctions ( X , ) ; Z ) Th ;cknesS.

D-Er/uivalent Warp Part Uniform Thlckness.

With

I
tw n

t,~y
Y

x J'Figure 7

Warp part of combined element warp-up in (X, Y, Z) directions

Appl. Math. Modelling, 1988, Vol. 12, August

437

Heat transfer t h r o u g h textile fabrics: M. L Ismail, et al.

Substituting for t,,= and t~. from (12) and (15), equation (17) takes the form

on - U~;form

1 (dl + D ) 2 tan - i d~ t.,,eq - 8 d2 2(Dd|) I/2 + l

'[

(Ddt) I/z +

4 (2dl - dz) ]

(18)

Similarly for the weft part shown in Figure 8(a) and (b), the equivalent uniform thickness/.f,eq is

I
tf s

T
~y

t~.o,.= ~ (ts+ + tf:,)

1 (d2 + D ) 2 dl - 8 d~ tan- ~2(Dd2) - - I/z

(19) The equivalent element combined from the warp and weft (warp-up), shown in Figure 9, has the dimensions (dJ2, (12/2) and t+ = t,,xq + t:xq. Thus from equations (18) and (19) one obtains the following expression for tc:
1 r(dl + D) 2 t~ = 8

dz

d~ tan- i 2(DdO - I/z

dl 1 + (dz + D) z tan- ' dj 2(D--dz)z/';

+ -~

'[4

D +

O'+++

+ d~/2)

(20)

Transformation of the combined element (weft-up) The combined element (weft-up) is shown in Figure lO(a) and (b) in both XZ- and YZ-planes. Comparing Figure 10 with Figure 5, one easily finds that the equivalent thicknesses t}.x, t,',,.~, t}.y, and t[+.,y c a n be obtained from the expressions for t,,.~, tl.x, t,..y, and ts.:., respectively, by interchanging dl and d2. Hence, t}.eq is obtained from t,',..eq, and t,',,~q is obtained from ts.~q by the same substitution. Thus t', which is equal to the sum of t,',.xq and t}xq, is obtained from t~ by interchanging d~ and dE. Hence,

/", / i
Z
Urn'form

J~- Equivalent

Weft

Part Of

thickness

---

d/2

Figure 8 Weft part of combined element warp-up in (X, Y, Z)

directions

I
! S ! I I I ! I

~[(dz+D)Ztan-,d,
t,'. = dt
+ (dr +

2(Dd2) i/2 D) tan- J

2

d2

dz
+ 4 L4~r

!r-o

2(Ddl) J/zJ
+ +

dl'=)

(2l)

_f____/f.,
{'ifeR.

tc Comparing (20) and (21), we find that t" = t,.. Thus the equivalent combined element (weft-up) shown in Figure 11 has dimensions dJ2, (1,./2, and tc in the direction X, Y, Z, respectively. The transformed final model, in the three dimensions and its plane diagram are shown in Figures 12 and 13, respectively. It consists of four combined parts (two warp-up and two weft-up), two warp parts (above
/ J I

/x
directions

d~

Figure 9 Equivalent combined element warp-up in (X, Y, Z)

4,18 Appl. Math. Modelling, 1988, Vol. 12, August

Heat transfer through textile fabrics: M. L Ismail, et al.

Ca )

- ......---~
-. ii . Weft |=.,~-"

W p a 't
L_L
"d2/2

~.6"~\'~ LI
I - warp P=rt
2 - Weft PaPt 3 - Ce~nb;~e d Element ( War~.. Up) ,dl/2/'"

I._

(w,t,. up)

Figure 12 Diagramatic sketch for the final model in the (X, Y, Z) directions

each there exists an air layer of thickness t,. ll.eq, two weft parts (above each there exists an air layer of thickness t,. - t2.cq), and three air pockets. Assuming that the heat flows in the Z-direction, the components are thermally in parallel connections. Moreover, there are thermal similarities between the four combined parts, and the same for the two warp parts. Also the two weft parts are thermally similar.
-

Figure 10 Combined element (weft-up): (a) in XZ-plane; (b) in XY-plane

Calculations o f the effective thermal conductivity Since the thermal resistance R is defined by, R = L / K A , therefore the total thermal resistance R, of the model is R, = t,. K3(LI + I/2D)(L2 + I/2D) (22)

But the warp element with R,. as thermal resistance and the air layer above it with R, as thermal resistance are thermally in series. Thus their resultant resistance
Combined

/~ wert- up )

Elemer. (v/.~.p.U~)

J_

~watp Part

i,i,/"
x -

Weft P:~et/

V
L~ 439

Figure 11 Equivalent combined element weft-up in (X, Y, Z) directions

Figure 13 Plane for the final model

Appl. Math. Modelling, 1988, Vol. 12, August

Heat transfer through textile fabrics: M. L Ismail, et al.

R,,.u is
I c -- tl.eq tn.cq + (23) K,,~Ltdl/2 KuLidl/2 Similarly the resultant resistance Rs.u of the weft ele-

R,..u = R,,. + Ru -

ment with R s and the above air layer with Ru is t2.eq t,. /2.eq Rs.u = Rs + R" = KsL2d2/2 + K, Lzd2/----~2
-

is the overall thermal conductivity of the fabric material. 6. The solid elements of the model (warp element, weft element, and combined element), which are really composed of two phases (solid fibre phase and air phase), are looked on as homogeneous material with an effective thermal conductivity. The present model is represented in the three dimensions in Figure 12, while Figure 13 represents its plane diagram. The model in this form is suitable for the application of the simple Fourier equation for heat conduction. To do this the total thermal resistance R,, hence the effective thermal conductivity K,,, can be obtained from equations (27) and (22) as follows: Substituting L~ from equation (5), /n,eq from equation (6), and t,. from (20) into (23), R,,..,, can be calculated. Also using equation (24) together with equations (7), (8), and (20), Rs.~ is determined. Similarly, equations (18), (19), and (25) give R,.s. Finally, R,,b can be obtained from equations (5), (7), (20), and (26). Now, substituting R,..,,, Rs.,,, R,. s, and Rub into equation (27), we get R,. Then applying this value to equation (22), we can find
ge.

(24)

Since each combined element consists of two layers in series, one is a warp with thermal resistance R,,,. and thickness t,,cq, and the other is a weft one with Rs,. as thermal resistance and tseq as thickness, then the total resistance R,. s of the combined element is
/weq + ts~q R,, s = R .... + Rsc - K,,.dld2/4 Ksdldz/4

(25)

It is obvious from Figure 13 that there are three air pockets. The middle one has dimensions L~ + A and L2 - A, while the other two are squares with A as side length. All have the common thickness t,.: the three pockets are in parallel, and their total resistance R,b is 1 2 l Rub tc/KuA2 + t,./Ku(L~ + A)(Lz - A) (26) But R, is the parallel resultant of the following thermal resistances: two R,,.u, two Fs.u, four resistances each of value R,~s, and Rub. Thus the total resistance R, is 1 2 2 4 1 R , - R,,----~+ ~ + R,,.---] + R,---bb (27) Discussion A simple fabric structure, namely, the plain weave, which is represented geometrically is used in the present study. The plain weave fabric material geometrically is not suitable for the solution of the problem of heat transfer through such fabric materials. Starting from this difficulty, we are led to a mathematical model which is geometrically equivalent to the model and at the same time is suitable for the application of the heat transfer equations. In addition to the model assumptions and approximations for the geometry of fabric structure the following assumptions are taken into consideration: 1. No moisture transfer through the fabric material and air pockets. 2. The material distribution and its thermal characteristics for the fabric elements are the same everywhere. 3. The unidirectional heat transfer in the steady-state conditions is assumed with the heat flux in the upward direction (the Z direction). 4. The temperature jump at the interface of a gas phase and a solid phase is neglected. 5. The overall heat transfer process, including the convection, the radiation through air pockets, and the heat conduction through both the fibrous solid material and the entrapped gas molecules, is considered as a whole. Hence the obtained conductivity

The heat flux could be easily calculated by the application of the simple Fourier equation from knowledge of the true thickness of the materials, the temperature developed across it, and its effective thermal conductivity. Conclusion The present model enables the determination of the effective thermal conductivity of woven materials in the form of fabric, yarn, or even fabric form; knowing the effective thermal conductivities of the different components, the effective thermal conductivity of the fabric can be predicted. On the other hand, the effective yarn conductivity can be calculated by weaving a fabric having the warp and the weft parts from the same yarn whose thermal conductivity is to be determined. Then measuring experimentally the effective thermal conductivity of the fabric, the effective conductivity of the yarn can be calculated. Moreover, the thermal conductivity of the constituent fibre can be calculated from knowledge of the composition of the yarn looked on as a fibre-air mixture. Finally, the effectiveness of the present model can be judged by a scheme of experimental work, which is in our design for future work. Acknowledgment Valuable discussions with Professor T. Prasad, University of Waterloo are appreciated. References
I 2 3 4 Ismail, M. 1., Ammar, A. S. A., and EI-Okeily, M. J. App/. Polymer Sci. 1985, 30, 2343 Tye, R. P. Thermal Conductivity. Academic Press, London and New York, 1969, p. 303 Bogaty, H., Hollies, N. S., and Harries, M. Textile Research J. 1957 27(6), 445 Lis, S. J., Engholm, G., and Bambenek, R. A. Textile Research J. 1962, 32(I), 24

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