Development of a test device and procedure to measure heat transfer through fabrics when exposed to pressurized steam

Extensive use of pressurized steam in oil and gas sectors has led to incidents where workers were seriously injured. In this study a test device and procedure to measure heat transfer through fabrics during steam exposure were developed. Several factors were considered while designing the test device to simulate the work site conditions. Fabrics were exposed to steam at two distances (50mm and 100mm) and two pressures (207 kPa and 69 kPa). Theoretical considerations included heat and mass transfer, fabric structure and relationships to performance properties of fabrics.; The test device and procedure differentiated well among fabrics and between conditions. Maximum heat transfer was observed at 30 psi and 50mm distance in all fabrics. It was found that laminated and coated fabrics performed better than fabrics without such treatment. Hence, fabrics with high water permeability showed poor resistance to heat and moisture transfer compared to semi permeable and impermeable ones.