Over the years, various forms of phase change materials (PCMs) have been utilized as thermal storage mediums for cooling and heating applications. Recently, the U.S. Navy has investigated using phase change materials inside divers' dry suits to enhance thermal protection in extremely cold water applications. The thermal performance of optional types of insulative Comfortemp(1) foam mediums, medium thicknesses, and foam-to-Thermosorb(2) ratios are evaluated analytically in this paper to compare the relative thermal performances of PCM-enhanced dry suits with existing commercial dry suits. An analytical model of dry suit systems, both conventional and those containing Comfortemp materials, is developed to predict their thermal performances in simulated ocean environments. This analytical model is used to compare the relative thermal performances of PCM-enhanced dry suits with existing commercial dry suits, and to assess the relative thermal performances of candidate Comfortemp foams, including those interspersed with different weight percentages of micro-encapsulated PCMs, in an effort to maximize thermal storage capabilities. The observations from this modeling effort provides guidelines and recommendations for materials selection and thickness requirements for candidate Comfortemp foams to be used in prototype dry suits for divers. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
